The A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme hit a key milestone this week with the arrival of some very large deliveries.
Over the last two weeks, 23 sections of the brand new foot and cycle bridge that will link the residential area of Chaddesden to the Wyvern and Pride Park have been arriving on site, and pieced together on 23 tonnes of temporary works steel alongside the A52.
The new bridge, will measure over 82 metres in length, and will be a modern, well designed structure that will provide a significant enhancement to walking and cycling facilities in the area. It will create a fully accessible link between residential and commercial areas for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair, mobility scooter and pushchair users, and will offer many improvements over the previous bridge with ramped approaches, a four and half metre wide deck and a resin anti-slip surface. The bridge will also have handrail lighting and decorative arch lighting, designed to have minimal impact on nearby residential properties whilst providing safety for bridge users.
The bridge is due to be installed over the weekend of 18th – 19th April, and will be lifted into place on one of the biggest cranes in the country. The crane itself will arrive on 12 lorries and will take five days to construct. The Council are working with local businesses to arrange a viewing event for local residents and employees to watch the footbridge being installed, and more details will follow in the new year. It is expected that the bridge will be open to the public from early July 2020.
Councillor Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Leadership, Regeneration and Public Protection said:
I am very pleased to see this significant milestone achieved, with the delivery of the new footbridge. The scheme has moved with significant pace over the last few months and more intensive works will follow in the new year, as we work hard to finish the scheme and deliver the long term benefits to the city. I would once again, like to thank local businesses, residents and motorists for their continued patience and cooperation.
With over 18 million vehicles using the road each year, the A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme is a key infrastructure project for our city, which will bring significant benefits to a congested part of Derby’s principal road network, offering improved access to the city and supporting wider economic growth.