Member Article

Beams lifted into place for second bridge for A49 link road

Another key milestone has been reached as a major Wigan highways project continues to progress on schedule.

Seven beams were lifted into place between Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, which will allow the A49 link road to cross above Poolstock Lane.

It’s one of three new bridges being installed along the route by contractor Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, which was appointed by Wigan Council to deliver the high-priority scheme.

Diversions were in place as the 71-tonne beams, each 32 metres long, were laid and the civil engineering firm praised commuters for their understanding.

Eryl Evans, contracts manager at Jones Bros, said: “We worked hard in partnership with Wigan Council to advise of road closures in advance to help avoid as much disruption as possible, and we would like to thank road users and pedestrians for their patience throughout the weekend.

“We have now laid the beams to the three new bridges and the final installation will take place later in the year for the widening of New Lion Bridge.”

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux said: “It’s great that we have reached a number of key milestones for this project over the last couple of months, leading us closer to the completion of the project, which we anticipate will be next year.

“Once complete, the link road will provide many benefits for businesses and residents with better east-west connectivity, improved air quality and less congestion. These are key priorities for the council and support our economic growth strategy.

“We would like to thank motorists, residents and businesses for their cooperation throughout the weekend closure and we will be sure to keep the public informed as the works progress.”

The A49 link road will connect Warrington Road and Goose Green to Westwood Park and the town centre at the Poolstock and Chapel Lane junction.

The new road is part of a wider plan for investment in the borough’s road network and is in line with the council’s commitment to generating economic growth and improving infrastructure.

Following works beginning on site in September 2018, it is anticipated that the scheme will be complete in Spring 2020.

The A49 scheme has been made possible through funding support from the Greater Manchester Combines Authority’s Growth Deal pot, which is managed by Transport for Greater Manchester.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .