The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon upgrade team has successfully completed two 1,000 tonne bridges and will install them later this month using an innovative engineering solution
The bridges have been constructed at the side of the road and will be wheeled into place over just one weekend to cause minimum disruption to traffic by joint venture Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Costain, CH2M and Atkins.
Over the past few months, they have built four abutments to support the new bridges as well as two 44 metre bridge decks at the side of the live carriageway.
To carry out the bridge deck installation work safely, the A14 will need to be closed between 14 September, 9pm, and 17 September, 6am.
During the closure, clearly signed diversions will be in place as traffic not needing to enter or exit the A14 at Bar Hill will not be able to travel through the junction along the A14 in either direction.
David Bray, project director for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon upgrade at Highways England, said: “Redesigning and building the Bar Hill junction was identified from the start of the project as one of the main challenges we would have to tackle.
“I am delighted that we’ve found a way to build the two bridges while keeping the A14 open as much as possible and disruption for people locally and road users to a minimum.
“And I am also excited that we’re using such an innovative solution to our challenge – that’s what makes my job so interesting.”
The new bridges will eventually replace the old bridge which will be demolished in 2019.
There is no space to safely watch the work taking place, during the weekend but people can find out more about the work and closure details, and watch the work via a live stream online by visiting the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon social media channels and website.
The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon upgrade team has produced a video highlighting the engineering solution.
