2. Match up the words on the left with the definitions on the right.

1) longitudinal 2) to accommodate 3) to compensate 4) to transfer 5) to mount 6) to drain 7) to distribute 8) to equalize 9) to cure 10) to embed

a) to change or remove the bad results of something b) to solve a problem c) to make something a fixed and important part of something else d) to spread something over an area e) to move to somewhere else f) going from the top to the bottom of something g) to fix something firmly in a particular place or position h) to provide enough space for something i) to let liquid flow away from something, to get rid of the water k) to make something the same in size amount or importance

3. Complete the sentences with the words.

1. A drain runs to a ………. at the deepest point, from where water is pumped out.

a) pull

b) well

c) sump

2. Cleaning the ballast was the most critical ………. , but it could be carried out with a modified ballast cleaning machine.

a) slaps moving

b) maintenance operation

c) bridge superstructure

3. The five bridge joins are ………. where the bridge girders rest on piers.

a) transferred

b) located

c) maintained

4. Each section of the track is ………. to the concrete slab by four bolts fixed to 130 mm glued synthetic tenons.

a) fastened

b) cured

c) positioned

5. To accommodate the longitudinal and rotational movements of the bridge associated with different temperatures, special ………. were needed.

a) bridge girders

b) crushed stone ballast

c) expansion joints

4. With a partner answer the questions.

1. Why was the ballasted track chosen for the West Bridge?

2. Describe the track structure on the bridge?

3. What was needed to accommodate longitudinal and rotational movements of the bridge?

4. What if the length of the bridge slab expansion?

5. How many expansion joints are mounted?

6. What kind of fastenings is used to held together transition slabs?

7. What is the reason of slab expansion?

8. How is the rotation of the bridge transferred to the track structure?

9. What is the material for sleepers used for expansion rails?

10. What was the most critical maintenance operation in the East Tunnel?

5. Read the summary of the text and say what information is missing.

The task of choosing track design was solved after various tests under normal traffic conditions. The choice fell on ballasted track for the West Bridge and slab track in the tunnel.

To accommodate longitudinal and rotational movements special expansion joints were used. They consists of three small beams forming transition slabs which are held together by two pin-joints. The three transition slabs are fastened to the bridge girders on sliding bearings.

It was originally intended to construct the sumps outside the tunnel using deep wells. Later the location of sumps was changed. A drain runs to a sump at the deepest point of the tunnel.