As part of the Thameslink Programme, there was a requirement to widen Underbridge 136 to the North of Luton Station. This was to facilitate a track slew which in turn would make space available for the Station platforms to be extended. This was a complex project which involved the following works by BCM Construction:
- Embankment retention was required on both sides of bridge 136. This was achieved by installing sheet piled retaining walls with ground anchors. Due to the presence of Overhead Electrification and sensitive residents, the silent hydraulic piling method was used during track possessions.
- Parts of the retaining walls would later be used to found signal structures. These sections of the retaining wall were constructed with 900mm diameter concrete bored piles.
- Access to the existing abutments was severely restricted. Two temporary access roads had to be constructed to enable construction plant such as piling rigs to access the site.
- The existing bridge abutments had to be extended to accommodate the new bridge decks. The abutments were extended using reinforced concrete with a brick cladding for aesthetics.
Following the bridge widening works and track slews, BCM Construction extended all 5 platforms at Luton Station by 80m.
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