Strand underpass: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Strand-underpass-london-800.jpg|thumb|Entrance to the underpass from Waterloo Bridge]]The '''Strand Underpass''' (sometimes incorrectly called the '''Kingsway Underpass''') is a vehicle [[tunnel]] in central [[London]] connecting [[Waterloo Bridge]] to [[Kingsway]] near [[Holborn]]. It was built by [[Mowlem|John Mowlem & Co]] and opened on 21 January 1964. |
[[Image:Strand-underpass-london-800.jpg|thumb|Entrance to the underpass from Waterloo Bridge]]The '''Strand Underpass''' (sometimes incorrectly{{fact}} called the '''Kingsway Underpass''') is a vehicle [[tunnel]] in central [[London]] connecting [[Waterloo Bridge]] to [[Kingsway]] near [[Holborn]]. It was built by [[Mowlem|John Mowlem & Co]] and opened on 21 January 1964. |
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It is built within part of the former [[Kingsway tramway subway]]. The original tramway tunnel was 20 ft (6.6 [[metre|m]]) wide and allowed bi-directional flow because of the fixed rails and relatively narrow width of the trams; however, the new road tunnel was only 17 ft (6.25 m) wide, and consequently only northbound traffic was permitted, because of the side clearances required. The headroom is only 12 ft 6 in (3.75 m) due to the tunnel having to pass beneath the bridge [[abutment]] by means of a 1:12 [[gradient]]. An electronic 'eye' alerts drivers of tall vehicles and diverts them to an 'escape route' to the left of the entrance. However, high vehicles do still try to go through and so get stuck occasionally. |
It is built within part of the former [[Kingsway tramway subway]]. The original tramway tunnel was 20 ft (6.6 [[metre|m]]) wide and allowed bi-directional flow because of the fixed rails and relatively narrow width of the trams; however, the new road tunnel was only 17 ft (6.25 m) wide, and consequently only northbound traffic was permitted, because of the side clearances required. The headroom is only 12 ft 6 in (3.75 m) due to the tunnel having to pass beneath the bridge [[abutment]] by means of a 1:12 [[gradient]]. An electronic 'eye' alerts drivers of tall vehicles and diverts them to an 'escape route' to the left of the entrance. However, high vehicles do still try to go through and so get stuck occasionally. |
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Revision as of 15:33, 16 February 2011
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The Strand Underpass (sometimes incorrectly[citation needed] called the Kingsway Underpass) is a vehicle tunnel in central London connecting Waterloo Bridge to Kingsway near Holborn. It was built by John Mowlem & Co and opened on 21 January 1964.
It is built within part of the former Kingsway tramway subway. The original tramway tunnel was 20 ft (6.6 m) wide and allowed bi-directional flow because of the fixed rails and relatively narrow width of the trams; however, the new road tunnel was only 17 ft (6.25 m) wide, and consequently only northbound traffic was permitted, because of the side clearances required. The headroom is only 12 ft 6 in (3.75 m) due to the tunnel having to pass beneath the bridge abutment by means of a 1:12 gradient. An electronic 'eye' alerts drivers of tall vehicles and diverts them to an 'escape route' to the left of the entrance. However, high vehicles do still try to go through and so get stuck occasionally.
Underground, the new underpass is constructed in a concrete box within the former tram tunnel; the road surface, however, is at the original track level. At the northern end of the tunnel, the road rises to the surface on a new carriageway supported by metal pillars. This passes through the site of the former Aldwych tramway station, but because of the greater width requirement, 27 trees and some pavement had to be removed for it to be constructed.
The tunnel is used by the 521 bus route on Northbound journeys.
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