Restoration of the anti-corrosion coating of a steel bridge at km. 12+849 in the Ruse - Dolapite interstation /2460 m²/ on the 4th railway line
NATIONAL RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY
Ruse
The metal structure was thoroughly cleaned by sandblasting to SA 3 level - metallic shine;
All metal surfaces are primed and painted twice with alkyd paint;
The anti-corrosion coating of the steel railway bridge has been restored;
A special suspended platform has been built to access hard-to-reach parts of the structure;
The repair work was carried out without interrupting rail traffic;
The facility's railings have been renovated into "electric train windows";
The total area of processed metal surfaces is 2460 m²;
The facility is part of the 4th railway line, providing the connection between Bulgaria and Romania.
We have implemented a specialized project to restore the anti-corrosion coating of a steel railway bridge located at km. 12+849 in the Ruse – Dolapite section of the 4th railway line. The facility is part of the key railway infrastructure, providing the connection between Bulgaria and Romania, and is of great importance for international rail transport and the continuity of rail traffic in the region.
The project was implemented after a general inspection of the bridge facilities of the National Railway Infrastructure Company, which identified serious violations and compromise of the existing anti-corrosion coating of the metal structure. As a result of the long-term operation and the impact of atmospheric conditions, a need was found for a complete restoration of the protective system in order to prevent the development of corrosion processes and extend the operational life of the facility.
As part of the project, all metal surfaces of the bridge structure were sandblasted to SA 3 – cleaning to a metallic sheen, ensuring optimal preparation of the base before applying the new protective coating. After preparation, the surfaces were primed and painted twice with alkyd paint, ensuring long-term protection of the metal elements against atmospheric corrosion and operational effects.
A particular challenge in the implementation of the project was the need to carry out all activities without interrupting train traffic. The work process was organized so that rail traffic could continue normally during the implementation, with only repair work on the railings on both sides of the road being carried out in pre-determined “electric train windows”.
A special suspended work platform was built to ensure safe and effective access to all parts of the bridge structure. The high and difficult-to-reach sections of the structure were processed by technicians certified for work via rope access (industrial mountaineering), which allowed for precise execution of all activities while complying with safety and technological control requirements.
The total area of the processed metal elements amounts to 2460 m² and includes the main load-bearing elements of the bridge structure, connections, reinforcement elements and safety railings.
