Success as final section of new Telford footbridge is lifted into place
The final section of a new Telford footbridge was successfully lifted into place overnight by one of Europe's largest cranes.
Engineers had initially hoped to lift the new footbridge into place overnight on Saturday but were forced to postpone due to strong wind speeds to the following night.
The lift could only happen in the middle of the night when no trains are running as engineers needed access over the main rail line.
Engineering teams will now be working flat out to derig the main crane, one of the largest in Europe, to allow the A442 Eastern Primary to re-open as quickly as possible. Rampart way has already reopened.
The new bridge itself will now require further finishing engineering works before it can be used and is expected to open to pedestrians in November. The bridge will link Telford Central train station with Telford town centre.
EP to reopen on Wednesday
The EP, which is closed in both directions between Hollinswood Interchange and Greyhound Interchange Northbound and Wombridge Interchange and Hollinswood Interchange Southbound, is expected now to reopen on Wednesday morning due to the delay caused by the windy conditions on Saturday night.
Dom Proud, the Council’s Highways manager, said; “Thanks to all of the teams who worked round the clock to complete the lift successfully this morning. It’s been a very complex engineering operation as the winds conditions on Saturday night showed.
“We are now working flat out now to derig the crane and to get the A442 reopen as quickly as we possibly can and will provide further updates on this later today but it is anticipated that it will now be Wednesday morning before the road is opened. We thank the public for their understanding of the need for the road closures for this task."
#Telfordfootbridge is now in place! Here it is before and after the lift. Well done to the teams involved and thanks for their professionalism. @ShropshireStar @BBCShropshire @MGrowcott_Star @balfourbeatty @JacobsEngineers @shropshirelive pic.twitter.com/MuKT4ZTDxW https://twitter.com/TelfordWrekin/status/1041483510614241280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The team will continue to work through the night to complete the final fixings in preparation for opening the roads as soon as possible. More updates to follow. #HIstorictimes #Telfordfootbridge Thanks for bearing with us and for residents' support during this project. pic.twitter.com/m4TDBk6Nhe https://twitter.com/TelfordWrekin/status/1041486169186492417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The old and the new, side by side you can really see what an improvement this is! #Telfordfootbridge pic.twitter.com/hmtqmLHU76 https://twitter.com/TelfordWrekin/status/1041522403036340225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
