The final 12 tonne section of Worcester’s new walking and cycling bridge over the River Severn, Kepax Bridge, was lifted into place earlier this month.
With the help of a 1,000-tonne crane, today’s work completes all the bridge lifts, which have taken place over the past two weeks.
Following the final lift this morning, work has continued throughout the day with bolting this last section into place from the platform on the river pontoon, and the bridge load has been released so it is now self-supporting and functioning as intended.
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “This is a momentous day for Worcester and we now have a bridge that spans the river – it created a real buzz in the area with residents gathered to watch the final steel section going in.
“I’d once again like to thank local residents for their patience and co-operation while these works are taking place, and with the disruption caused for the access required to enable us to accommodate the materials and machinery needed for such an important scheme.
“I’m thrilled to see the bridge now fully in place, and once it’s open, it’s going to make a huge difference in boosting the health and wellbeing of locals residents, and in creating a new access point across the river to enjoy Worcester.”
The huge cranes that have been on site for the bridge lifts are being dismantled today and tomorrow, and their parts removed off site.
Now the bridge is in place, work will continue and includes installation of handrails and lighting, fitting expansion joints and surfacing works. There is approximately 6,500 tonnes of stone to be removed, as well as 2,000 tonnes of soil to be removed for the flood compensation area, and about 1,000 tonnes of new subsoil and topsoil to be brought in.
Works will also continue on the West side, completing the Horsford Road approach, fencing and solar lighting.
Finally, park furniture will be installed and landscaping, seeding and planting will take place in Gheluvelt Park before handover, scheduled for later in the year.
Works are dependent on suitable weather conditions and may be subject to change.
The bridge will be a cable supported bridge, with the main span reinforced by cables connected to a single tower on the east side of the river. It will help to reduce traffic on the roads and promote health and wellbeing by providing additional capacity for people to walk, wheel and cycle.
Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council are working in partnership on the project.
More information is available on the Kepax Bridge pages of the County Council website.
