Work to install two 1,000 tonne bridges over the A14 in Cambridgeshire was completed ahead of schedule, Highways England announced.
The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon upgrade team started work to install the bridges on Friday at Bar Hill following several months of preparation work.
To carry out the work safely, the A14 was closed 9pm on Friday and wasn’t due to open until Monday at 6am but re-opened early at midday on Sunday.
Julian Lamb, construction director for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme on behalf of Highways England, said: “I’m delighted we were able to re-open the A14 ahead of schedule. The work has been long in the planning and I’m pleased to say went ahead smoothly. I would like to thank motorists, businesses and residents, especially in Bar Hill, Longstanton, Willingham and surrounding villages, for their patience.”
Prior to installation four abutments were built to support the bridges as well as two bridge decks at the side of the carriageway.
Over the weekend the team wheeled the bridges decks, each measuring 44 metres, into place on top of the abutments using a large, remote-controlled platform on wheels.
The new bridges are part of the £1.5 billion major improvement scheme and form a new, improved Bar Hill junction that will connect the A14 to the future local access road between Cambridge and Huntingdon, as well as to the existing local road between Bar Hill and Longstanton (B1050).
The new bridges ultimately replace the old bridge that will be demolished in 2019.
Highways England is upgrading a 21-mile stretch of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon to three lanes in each direction including a brand new 17-mile bypass south of Huntingdon, with four lanes in each direction between Bar Hill and Girton. The project, which includes 34 bridges and main structures, will add additional capacity, boost the local and national economy and cut up to 20 minutes off journeys.
To check the latest traffic information for the A14 and other roads, listen to traffic bulletins on local and national radio stations, visit http://www.trafficengland.com/ and follow Highways England on Twitter via @HighwaysEAST.
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