A 20-tonne metal bridge has returned to Beverley after undergoing a major engineering and improvement project to make it safe and strong for the future.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council invested £1m to refurbish the 73-year-old Weel Bridge, which carries traffic over the River Hull, between Beverley and the village of Weel.
Following a vital upgrade and new blue paintwork, the aluminium structure was brought back to the town and was lifted back into place on the banks of the River Hull, at the end of Grovehill Road, on Saturday (12 September) using a 250-tonne crane.
It will now take a couple of weeks for the installation, commissioning and safety checks to be carried out by a team of engineers before the bridge can reopen to the public.
The nearby Weel Household Waste Recycling site, which had to close while the bridge was away, will also reopen when the bridge reopens to traffic.
The structure had been hoisted from its bearings and transported to Blyth near Doncaster for specialist refurbishment by council contractor Esh Construction in April.
The overhaul was carried out to strengthen and repair the bridge, improve safety and access for traffic, and extend its life.
The work had to be delayed by two months when Esh Construction discovered further crucial new damage within the aluminium structure, caused by corrosion over the years.
The following work has been carried out to the bridge:
- Structural repairs and strengthening of the aluminium structure,
- Mechanical, electrical and bridge control system upgrades,
- Safety improvements, including parapet refurbishment.
- Road realignment works to improve vehicle access and improve visibility for drivers,
- Widening of the shared footway and cycleway.
The three-tonne weight limit and 3.3m height restriction remain the same.
A new modern operating system was also installed to control the bridge when it raises and lowers to accommodate boat traffic travelling along the river.
The contractor also straightened the approach to the bridge to improve visibility and safety for vehicles, as well as the creation of a shared footpath and cycleway.
Councillor Paul West, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I'm incredibly pleased to see the newly-improved Weel Bridge back where it belongs, complete with a fresh coat of paint.
"This has been a challenging repair and I want to thank Esh Construction for its vital work in strengthening the bridge so people can use it safely for years to come.
"I also want to thank local residents, drivers and users of the recycling site for their patience and understanding over these past few months while we could complete this improvement."
Saturday’s engineering feat was carried out by Esh Construction and its specialist subcontractors.
Esh Construction previously worked with the council on the restorations of Bubwith Bridge and Stamford Bridge, and is currently refurbishing the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle and Drypool Bridge in Hull.
Steven Garrigan, divisional director at Esh Construction, said: “The refurbishment of Weel Bridge has been a complex project involving the repair and upgrade of a unique aluminium bascule structure.
"The scheme has strengthened the bridge, enhanced its long-term reliability and ensured this important crossing can continue to serve local communities for years to come.
“We're proud to have worked in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and our supply chain partners to deliver a successful outcome that improves safety, accessibility and reliability for everyone who uses this route.”
The bridge was built in 1953. The last major improvements were carried out in 2012, but it has been closed for short periods for minor work several times since.
Weel Bridge is a bascule bridge, meaning it can be raised and lowered to cater for boat traffic along the river.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Weel Bridge gets lifted back into place in Beverley in a technical operation.
