Initial work has commenced on the replacement of a bridge that is over 90 years old, crossing the River Soar at the edge of Zouch village, located on the border between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
The current condition of the bridge necessitates its replacement for safety reasons, as an 18-tonne weight limit is enforced, barring HGVs from using it.
The Leicestershire County Council has allocated £19.5m for the construction project, which includes building a new bridge adjacent to the current one. Once completed, it will be shifted into position along a newly aligned section of the A6006. Eric Wright Civil Engineering, a specialist contractor, has been selected to construct the new bridge.
To minimise disruption for motorists and other road users, the current structure will stay operational during the construction of the new bridge.
This week, representatives from Leicestershire County Council, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, and other stakeholders gathered for a turf-cutting ceremony to signify the commencement of the project.
Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The A6006 is a key east/west route across the county which provides a vital function, not least for business links to East Midlands Airport and Freeport developments. We’ve spent thousands of pounds on reactive repairs over the years and that’s not sustainable given the condition of the bridge. We’re working closely with our contractors to ensure that people are kept well informed about the progress of the project and to minimise any disruption to road users.”
Diane Bourne, managing director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, added: “We are looking forward to starting the works as soon as we are able and delivering this much needed, improved link for the area. Our team has considerable experience in highways and infrastructure improvements, especially the design and installation of bridges and we are really pleased to have been appointed by Leicestershire County Council on this significant project for Leicestershire.”
The schedule for the work is designed to limit road closures to specific times: when the main beams are delivered, during the re-alignment of the new carriageway to connect with the existing A6006 leading to the new bridge, and when essential utilities are being diverted.
The bridge components are to be assembled on land next to the river. Due to overhead high-voltage cables, which preclude the use of cranes, they will be positioned using a jacking system. Following this, the old bridge will be demolished, with the project expected to be completed by early 2027.
The council oversees the upkeep of approximately 300 bridges, all of which necessitate ongoing maintenance. However, none of them require work on the magnitude of the Zouch project in the near future.
The first stage of construction includes erecting ‘cofferdams’ on both riverbanks. These structures will facilitate the secure building of bridge piers by forming a watertight barrier within this section of the Soar, permitting water to be evacuated or diverted, thus establishing a dry and secure work area.
Work will be temporarily halted from autumn until the following spring to mitigate the risks associated with working in a flood plain during winter, and to comply with the Environment Agency’s ‘in-river’ working restrictions designed to protect spawning sites.