TRACK INSTALLATION – A STEP BY STEP PROCESS
RPA’s contractor SBS is now working on the tracks and different areas of the alignment are at different stages of construction. This image gives an overview of the different stages of the track installation works.
The different steps explained;
Step 1 Excavate the roadway to the correct depth.
Step 2 Install ducts which will carry the power and systems cables.
Step 3 Reconstruct the ground level in layers to ensure a solid base for the reinforced concrete track slab.
Step 4 Construct the base layer of the reinforced concrete track slab. The reinforcement consists of two layers of steel mesh inside the concrete.
Step 5 Deliver the rails to site once the structural reinforced concrete slab has achieved the required strength. A straight piece of track is 18 meters long on average.
Step 6 Apply rubber coating to rail.
Step 7 Align the rails into the correct position and raise them to the correct level.
Step 8 Weld the rails together to form the track.
Step 9 Pour second layer of concrete to a level halfway up the rail.
Step 10 Construct the exposed aggregate concrete shoulders on either side of the rail up to the top of the rail. These “shoulders” are created to protect the rubber around the rails and prevent it from being damaged by vehicular traffic.
Step 11 Install the finished tarmac surface between the concrete shoulders.