Residents of Surrey witnessed a major milestone in the construction of a £19m road bridge, as 19 beams were put in place by a 750-tonne crane over the bank holiday weekend.
Earlier this month around 200 residents gathered to see VolkerFitzpatrick installing beams for the Ash Road Bridge, on behalf of Guildford Borough Council.
Residents of Ash watched from designated viewing platforms as each 24-metre beam was lowered into place. Two of the beams weigh 45 tonnes each and the remaining 17 weigh 27 tonnes each.
VolkerFitzpatrick said that despite the challenges posed by the scale of the project progress was steady, with nine beams successfully installed ahead of schedule.
Project manager Collin Bexley said: ‘The successful installation of the bridge beams at Ash Road marks a significant milestone in our project. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and it brings us one step closer to delivering a safer and more efficient transportation solution for the local community.’
The council’s lead councillor for regeneration, Tom Hunt, said: ‘We were delighted with the turnout for the viewing sessions at Ash Road Bridge over the Bank Holiday weekend.
‘Around 200 people came along to get a front row view of the beams being installed over the railway. Everyone I spoke to was very interested in the project and pleased to hear that it’s progressing well.
‘We’re hoping that the bridge will be open to traffic in November.’
The new road bridge aims to alleviate congestion and accommodate growing housing developments in the area.
It will allow the closure of a level crossing that currently poses a safety risk and causes significant traffic delays.
VolkerFitzpatrick is also delivering new approach roads, new junctions and altering existing roads to connect to the bridge.
