York Central scheme moves forward with SISK bridge works

The completion of a project to install giant concrete bridge beams took place over the bank holiday weekend (May 2-3) on part of the York Central site, forming the backbone of a new pedestrian and cycle crossing over the railway at Water End.

Infrastructure contractor Sisk carried out the work over two weekends where beams, each measuring 86 metres long and weighing up to 130 tonnes, were lifted into place across the East Coast Main Line by a 1,250-tonne specialist crawler crane.

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Alan Rodger, managing director at Sisk Infrastructure, said: “This is major milestone for our York Central project team.

“It required meticulous engineering and planning, which included temporary works and digital construction, right through to our supply chain partners, client, Network Rail and other key stakeholders.

“Together, we’ve delivered a complex piece of engineering with precision and collaboration over a stretch of the busiest rail network in the UK.

We’re excited to carry this momentum into the summer months as we move into the next phase of this transformative development.”

Steel beams being lifted into position over East Coast mainline railway at York Central (Image: Chris Winter / SISK)

Sisk said it led the operation on behalf of the York Central partnership —comprising Homes England, Network Rail, City of York Council and the National Railway Museum— and added it also relied on precise weather and railway access conditions.

The new bridge will connect the new Park Street access road to Water End, forming a key part of the final phase of infrastructure works for the wider York Central site.

Steel beams being lifted into position over East Coast mainline railway at York Central (Image: Chris Winter / SISK)

Councillor Claire Douglas, leader of City of York Council, said: “Seeing the York Central site evolve over recent months and start to be used by our residents has been amazing.

“Preparing for the bridge lift has been a huge partnership effort and is a significant engineering feat. I want to thank everyone who has been involved.

“While there is still more work to do before the bridge opens this was a major step forward for the York Central project which in time will transform our city, deliver new homes, high quality jobs and amazing public spaces for the people of York.”

The 76-metre-long, 7.5-metre-wide bridge is expected to open in 2027 following completion of the new junction and remaining infrastructure.