📋 Tender Overview
The Railway Administration discussed with the investor and contractor of the reconstruction of the Spindler Bridge the cancellation of the so-called hook devices in Roudnice nad Labem. An alternative solution proposed by the Railway Administration will appear on the overhead lines of the main corridor from Prague to Decin as early as next week.
The hook devices were part of the project documentation for the reconstruction of the Spindler Bridge and were a requirement of the investor which is the Usti nad Labem Region. During the construction the Railway Administration proposed two alternative options leading to their replacement.
The stage of the bridge reconstruction over the track during which it is necessary to turn off the voltage in the overhead line was originally supposed to end in mid-December of last year but according to the investors statement the deadline is being pushed back to approximately April of this year.
The new solution involves more extensive modifications to the entire overhead line system using special Teflon rods. The technology will ensure the safety of workers on the construction site as well as pedestrians who continue to use the Spindler Bridge during the reconstruction. The Railway Administration is technically prepared for the implementation of the modification and outages for installation are already scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
The operation of the main line between Prague and Decin was halted in situations where the train driver did not respect the signal to lower the pantograph. In that case the mentioned hook device would have been activated. It was an extreme solution: if the hook device had not intervened people on the bridge could have suffered electric shock. The hook device was used a total of eighteen times during the voltage outage in Roudnice nad Labem most recently this Wednesday. Approximately 52000 trains have passed through the area.
In recent months the Railway Administration has implemented a number of measures beyond standard regulations aimed among other things at maximizing the information available to train drivers: They are warned well in advance of the obligation to lower the pantograph and then again by the dispatcher by phone as they approach Roudnice. Since mid-November the obligation has been further emphasized by unique signals with flashing lights which ensure high visibility in darkness or fog. At the same time the speed in the area has been significantly reduced to 50 km/h giving the driver more time to react.
