Kepax Bridge works take a huge step forward

The sections of bridge, which weigh 15 tonnes each, have been arriving on the back of large lorries over the past few weeks, with more due to arrive over the next few months.

 

Recently, the above ground structure works have been completed and the areas for the cranes and storage area for bridge beam sections have been prepared.

 

With the delivery of the bridge sections, this marks the start of the next phase to prepare to lift the bridge into position over the river, later this year.

 

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: “I’ve been keeping a very close eye on the progress of these works, and it was fantastic to see some of the bridge beams arriving on site.

 

“It does cause some disruption in the local area when these huge beams are brought on to site, so I’d like to thank local residents for their cooperation and understanding during the deliveries.

 

“Once completed, the bridge will bring a major boost for the health and wellbeing of people who live, study or work in Worcester, encouraging many more to walk and cycle around our beautiful city.”

 

Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council are working in partnership to provide the new walking and cycling bridge over the River Severn between Gheluvelt Park and Kepax.

 

Councillor Owen Cleary, Vice Chair of Worcester City Council’s Place and Economic Development Committee, said: “It’s very exciting to see this major new addition to Worcester’s fantastic walking and cycling taking shape.

“Kepax Bridge is a key part of the Council’s investment in active travel and will play a major role in helping our residents and visitors to have more options in how they choose to get around our beautiful city.”

Further sections of the bridge will be delivered over the next few weeks, with the cranes set to arrive later in the year to undertake the bridge lifts. These dates are dependent on suitable weather conditions and may be subject to change.

 

Moving forward, three pylon sections of 15 tonnes each and 10 metres in height, will be delivered and welded together for lifting and a further 10 straight sections weighing 16 tonnes and 12 metres in length, will be delivered and lifted straight from the lorries into place.

The bridge will allow users to enjoy a figure-of-eight route along the River Severn, from Diglis Bridge in the south to Sabrina Bridge near the city centre and this new bridge in the north.

 

The bridge will be a cable supported bridge, with the main span reinforced by cables connected to a single tower on the east side of the river. It will help to reduce traffic on the roads and promote health and wellbeing by providing additional capacity for people to cycle, walk and wheel.

More information is available on the Kepax Bridge pages of the County Council website.