New bridges to be lifted into place on the A1 at Colsterworth, Lincolnshire
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release (EM/027/08) issued by The Government News Network on 12 May 2008
Two new bridge decks for the A1 junction improvements at Colsterworth, near Grantham, Lincolnshire will be lifted into place over two weekends in May and July as part of ongoing works to improve one of the busiest stretches of the A1 in the country. This work is part of the A1 Peterborough to Blyth Junction Improvement Scheme.
The decks, which have been constructed separately to the concrete supports so the work could take place in parallel, will be moved from their current location. The south bridge deck will be moved 20 yards, and the north bridge 200 yards, to their permanent position during two separate operations which will close the A1 to all traffic for eighteen hours each time.
The first lift will take place to the south of the A1/A151/B676 Colsterworth Roundabout from 6pm this Saturday, 17 May until approximately midday on Sunday, 18 May.
The A1 will be closed to through traffic in both directions between the A607 Harlaxton Road junction at Harlaxton and the A606 junction at Stamford. Through traffic will be diverted via the A607 Harlaxton Road towards Melton, then the A606 through Oakham to rejoin the A1 at Stamford, or vice versa.
Controlled local access to Colsterworth and other villages will be maintained throughout the works.
The second lift, which is scheduled to take place in July, will be at the junction with the B6403 High Dyke and Bridge End, and will involve closing the A1 between the same points as the first lift. The date in July is yet to be confirmed.
Using a special vehicle the bridge decks, which are some thirty metres long and weighing 650 tonnes, will be driven at walking pace along the A1 and will stand at a height of six metres. They will then be lowered on to already constructed and prepared bridge abutments. This will then allow the completion of the road construction that will form the new link roads over the A1.
It is expected the bridges will open to traffic in late summer of 2008.
Highways Agency project leader Bill Birkett said:
"This will be a real milestone for the scheme and road users and Colsterworth residents will soon get a real sense of how the finished scheme will look.
"This approach to the construction of the bridges is particularly unusual as the more common method involves building the bridge supports, lifting pre-cast beams into place then constructing the deck on top. By building the deck off-site we have been able to construct both elements of the bridge in parallel, shortening the length of the construction period and minimising delays for road users.
"In order to move the decks into place safely and in the shortest possible time it is unfortunately necessary to close the A1 in both directions. We advise drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and familiarise themselves with the diversion route before travelling."
The improvement at Colsterworth is part of six junction improvements along the A1 between Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and Blyth in Nottinghamshire.
The work at Colsterworth involves two separate sites. The Colsterworth North (B6403 junction) improvement works involve constructing a new overbridge and link road to connect Bridge End and High Dyke and local junction improvements where the existing B6403 meets the A1.
The Colsterworth South (A151/B676) junction improvement works consist of constructing a new two-level compact junction to replace the existing roundabout. The new overbridge and link road will form a semi-circular connection between the A151 and B676. Mini roundabouts will be constructed at the link road's junctions with the A151 and B676. Junction improvements will be completed locally where the A151 and B676 meet the A1.
The scheme is due for completion in summer 2009.
Further information about the Colsterworth improvements, including images of how each junction will look, are available on the Highways Agency website at http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/14948.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. The A1 Peterborough to Blyth Junction Improvement Scheme is being carried out by Interserve on behalf of the Highways Agency.
3. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is now available:
* From our new traffic radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).
4.Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
5. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)
Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by COI News and PR East Midlands
