The A14 in Cambridgeshire has re-opened after work to install two 1,000 tonne bridges over the A14 was completed ahead of schedule.
The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon upgrade team installed the bridges this weekend at Bar Hill following several months of preparation work.
To carry out the work safely, the A14 was closed 9pm on Friday and wasn’t due to open until tomorrow (Monday 17 September) at 6am but re-opened early at midday today (Sunday 16 September).
Julian Lamb, construction director for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme on behalf of Highways England said: “I’m delighted we were able to re-open the A14 ahead of schedule.
“The work has been long in the planning and I’m pleased to say went ahead smoothly. I would like to thank motorists, businesses and residents, especially in Bar Hill, Longstanton, Willingham and surrounding villages, for their patience.”
Prior to installation four abutments were built to support the bridges as well as two bridge decks at the side of the carriageway.
This weekend the team wheeled the bridges decks, each measuring 44 metres, into place on top of the abutments using a big, remote controlled platform on wheels.
The new bridges are part of the £1.5 billion major improvement scheme and form a new, improved Bar Hill junction that will connect the A14 to the future local access road between Cambridge and Huntingdon, as well as to the existing local road between Bar Hill and Longstanton (B1050).
The new bridges ultimately replace the old bridge that will be demolished in 2019.
Highways England is upgrading a 21-mile stretch of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon to three lanes in each direction including a brand new 17-mile bypass south of Huntingdon, with four lanes in each direction between Bar Hill and Girton. The project, which includes 34 bridges and main structures, will add additional capacity, boost the local and national economy and cut up to 20 minutes off journeys.
To check the latest traffic information for the A14 and other roads, listen to traffic bulletins on local and national radio stations, visit http://www.trafficengland.com/ and follow Highways England on Twitter via @HighwaysEAST
For the latest information about the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme, including a time-lapse of the bridge installation work early next week, visit www.highways.gov.uk/A14C2H follow @A14C2H on Twitter and like the scheme Facebook page at www.facebook.com/A14C2H/
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