Hull’s A63 road will close so that the city’s new landmark bridge can be moved into place.
From 8pm on Friday 1 November to 6am Monday 4 November, the bridge – which weighs 150 tonnes and is 60 metres long – will be manoeuvred into its final position over the A63.
Once in place, the bridge will enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross over the busy dual carriageway.
Highways England project manager Tom Peckitt said: “It is fantastic that we’ve reached this critical milestone for the project as we prepare to position the bridge into place.
“Once the bridge is installed at its final location, the construction team will still have lots of work to do including installing the ramps and steps and completing the marina platform and landscaping.
“To get the fully assembled bridge to site, it will be driven on four mobile platforms out of Myton Street car park, along the A63 then manoeuvred in a sequence of turns into its final position.
“I am really pleased we are taking this next important step and it has taken a lot of complex work to reach this stage. I want to thank drivers for their patience whilst we move the bridge.”
Watch the time lapse footage of the bridge being built here:
The Highways England project, which is the first phase of the A63 Castle Street scheme road improvement scheme, will shape the future of Hull and connect key sites in the city.
Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for economic investment and regeneration, said: “This is a major piece of infrastructure for our city and will make a huge improvement to transport flow along the A63, as well as connecting the city centre to the waterfront.
“Whilst we will shortly see the installation of the bridge, which is of the highest design standards and which my former colleague Martin Mancey and I fought long and hard for, there is still a lot of technical work to complete before it formally opens in the spring.”
The bridge, which will have a new name when it is completed, will help link the city’s marina with the southern end of Princes Dock.
Parts of the footbridge that will span the A63.
The bridge – which is covered by a curving steel canopy – will also have sheltered viewing balconies at each end which will give members of the public a space to enjoy the views of the city and waterfront.
As part of the bridge construction there will be new landscaped public areas at both the Princes Quay and marina sides.
The bridge is due to open to the public next spring. It is being part funded with a £4m contribution from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s local growth fund programme, secured through its growth deals with Government and part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
Find more details here and get updates on Twitter using the hashtag #a63hullpqbridge.
