Express & Star

M54 bridge swings into position

The massive 50-ton skeleton for a new footbridge that will form part of the i54 business park development near Wolverhampton has arrived.

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The massive 50-ton skeleton for a new footbridge that will form part of the i54 business park development near Wolverhampton has arrived.

The motorway was closed for several hours throughout Saturday night while the huge structure was unloaded from the giant transporter that brought it from Wales.

Two 45-metre long steel girders linked by cross beams were dri-ven off the carriageway along a specially-constructed access road to a compound west of junction two. The structure was then carefully lifted by crane onto a cradle where it will sit while being filled with the concrete.

Concrete pillars are being built alongside the M54 to carry the bridge over the carriageway to the i54 business park.

It will replace the current bridge in Middle Lane, which provides access to waste water treatment works and is used locally as a footpath and a bridleway. The existing bridge will remain open until its replacement is completed.

Once assembled, there will be further overnight closures of the motorway on September 22 and 29 while the bridge is lifted into place. The bridge is set for completion in December.

Councillor Mike Maryon, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "i54 is fantastic success story and a new dedicated motorway junction will provide easy access to the site."

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