The first part of a new bridge over the A1 is now in place as the second phase of the £102m Grantham bypass reaches the halfway point.
The 3.5km bypass relief road along the south of Grantham will link the A1 in the west to the A52 at Somerby Hill to the east. The project is being built in three stages. Phase one, a new roundabout off the B1174, was completed in August 2016.
Phase three, linking the A52 at Somerby Hill to the new roundabout, is set to begin this autumn.
Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’m incredibly pleased to say we’ve officially passed the halfway point of construction for the second section of Grantham’s new relief road.
“Since starting work last October, the team has completed the first half of the new A1 bridge, including installing sixteen massive 14-plus tonne beams – with thirteen more to be installed early next year.76659595577
“We’ve also completed nearly all of the earthworks and half the drainage associated with the new roundabouts and slip roads that will connect the A1 to the B1174.”
Since the start of the project, more than 800 people have worked over 150,000 hours on the scheme, nearly 130,000 tonnes of soil and earth have been moved, over half a mile of drainage has been installed and 100 tonnes of steel and 1,000 tonnes of concrete have been used for the new A1 bridge.
Cllr Davies added: “Throughout the next half of the project, the focus will be on completing the new A1 bridge and constructing the new roundabouts and slip roads off the A1.
“This will include lifting the remaining bridge beams into place and completing the earthworks and drainage.
“This is on top of building the slip roads and roundabouts themselves, ahead of surfacing and white lining – all with a view to having this new part of the relief road complete next summer. In the meantime, we want to thank everyone for staying patient while we carry out these important works.
“The scheme as a whole is progressing really well, and we’re looking forward to having the entire relief road opened during 2023.”
The project is being led by Lincolnshire County Council and supported by South Kesteven District Council, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Highways England, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Homes England and local businesses.
Pat Doody, chairman of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are extremely pleased to see works to complete the new A1 junction at Grantham progressing.
“We are investing £28m into this important strategic infrastructure scheme for Greater Lincolnshire which will enable significant future job creation, homes and greater connectivity.”
