An innovative new bridge will mark the next step in the rapidly progressing A47/A11Thickthorn junction improvements. National Highways is transforming the junction in orwich to improve safety, reduce congestion and boost the economy.
One of the key parts of the project is the construction of a new bridge over the A11, connecting Cantley Lane South with Norwich Road in Hethersett.
The bridge is unique in that it has been built off site and transported for rapid assembly on site. Over the next few days, a 750 tonne capacity crane will lift its six huge beams into place – each weighing 100 tonnes
and 38 metres long.
Alistair Stout, project director for National Highways, said:
“This is the first bridge on our road network to use this kind of modular design. Compared to traditional construction methods, this innovative approach allows more of the bridge to be manufactured off-site, which means we can build more quickly and efficiently, with less overall disruption to motorists, while also reducing future maintenance requirements.”
Mr Stout added:
“We have been planning this for many months, doing major earthworks and strengthening the foundations that will support the new bridge.
“While there will be some disruption this weekend, we have minimised the closures of the A11 as much as we possibly can to ensure the safety of the workforce and motorists. We will reopen the road as soon as possible once the work is complete over the weekend. We thank motorists for their continued patience.”
The Thickthorn junction project, which began around 18 months ago, also sees two new large underpasses directly underneath the A47 and A11 carriageways which will provide a new free-flow link road, reducing
congestion by removing around 12,000 vehicles from the roundabout each day.
This will mean faster, more reliable journeys, improved access to Norwich Hospital and Norwich Research Park, increased capacity for future traffic growth, and improvements to this important trade route to the eastern ports. The work is crucial for nearby housing developments in Cringleford and Wymondham where more than 3,000 homes are being built.
The project is set for completion by spring 2028.
(Picture: National Highways)
