Another day in highways: Making a grand entrance on a 200-tonne crane

National Highways has released a video showing the ‘grand entrance’ of the new footbridge over the A63 Castle Street in Hull as it was lifted into place with a 200-tonne crane.

The government-owned company described the new bridge as a major step forward in its £355m scheme to improve safety and create better connections in the centre of the city.

The 37-metre, 55-tonne emerald-green structure creates a new pedestrian route over the A63, connecting Porter Street on the north side of the major route to St James Street to the south.

National Highways described the ‘extra footbridge’, close to where major improvements are being carried out to the Mytongate junction, as an integral part of the overall A63 Castle Street major project.

Project manager Frances Oliver said: ’We are delighted that the Porter Street footbridge has now been safely lifted into place.

‘When it’s open, it will create a fantastic new route creating greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the A63.’

Two stair areas and seven ramp sections weighing up to 12 tonnes have been installed to the north of the A63, using a crane weighing 100 tonnes.

More than 500 cubic metres of concrete have created the footbridge’s foundation and up to 140 tonnes of steelwork have been used to build the ramp and stairs.

National Highways said ramps and stairs will be put in place on the southern side in the next few weeks, with the bridge expected to open to pedestrians and cyclists early this summer.