Work is due to start in May on a £9m scheme to replace a bridge near Cullompton in Devon. The Baulk Bridge carries the B3181 over the River Culm just south of Cullompton, with the structure, which was built in 1924, no longer meeting 21st century standards and needs to be replaced after investigations found it to be suffering from steel corrosion and deteriorating concrete.
To ensure the existing bridge remains open for as long as possible and to minimise disruption during construction, the new 30-metre span bridge will be located slightly downstream and the road will be re-aligned.
Our scheme, which is scheduled to get underway on Monday 11 May, will be carried out using temporary traffic lights for the majority of the time. A temporary 30mph speed limit will also be in place for an 1,100 metre section of the road north of the Nags Head railway bridge.
Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“It’s vital this link is upgraded as it’s a busy non-motorway link between Exeter and Cullompton used by around 5,000 vehicles every day, as well as being an important diversion route for the M5 motorway. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption, and as the new bridge will be on a slightly re-aligned route it’s reducing the amount of time that the road will need to be closed.”
(Picture: Devon Council)
