London 2012: New Olympic rail bridge lifted into place

The new entrance to Stratford International Station, known as the Eastern Egress, has been successfully lifted into place ready for the official opening in December for high speed domestic services. The 36 m-long bridge was lifted, fully glazed, 13 m above the domestic service railway lines at the station by a 1000 tonne crane. The bridge was jointly funded by the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the UK’s Department for Transport, and High Speed 1, operators of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). It will form part of the interchange between Stratford International, Stratford City and Stratford Regional Station, enabling more direct pedestrian access between the three. The bridge brings Stratford International and Regional stations 200 m closer together, allowing spectators to walk more easily between the two stations when visiting the Olympic Park during the 2012 Games.