South Brighton’s bridge Open Day leads into two way traffic

Last Saturday saw Brighton residents braving the rain and wind to see the progress of the Bridge Street bridge and the temporary detour structures at each end. The temporary structures or abutments will allow two-way traffic over the bridge (from today, 27 September) while the rest of the repair works continues on the bridge itself.

The bridge has been one-way, exit only from Brighton for a year now while SCIRT’s Fulton Hogan crew has worked on extensive repairs.

In November, the bridge will be fully closed for a weekend for jacking in order to replace the permanent abutments at each end. This will be advertised in advance.

Engineers were on hand at the weekend to update people on the progress and answer questions. Children were also encouraged to attend and have their photo taken sitting in Fulton Hogan’s 180 tonne crane.

The temporary abutments have been designed to allow the bridge, which is the main entrance and exit to South Brighton and Southshore, back to two-way traffic whilst repair work continues on the bridge itself. As the repairs are taking longer than anticipated, the temporary traffic solution was needed.

This has been the most awaited countdown for South Brighton since the bridge went one way late August last year. Residents are really looking forward to coming home again to South Brighton over the bridge.

Just a few restrictions on what can get across the temporary structures

• Once it is open to two-way traffic (by 3 pm today) there will be a 20 km/h speed limit and 3.5 tonne weight restriction in place.
• Also no trucks and cars with trailers over 10 metres in total length will be allowed over the bridge, as the turning circle over the temporary abutments will be quite tight.

The main work on the bridge is expected to be completed mid next year.

Below the bridge deck, the fixings have been installed to enable the bridge deck to be jacked. The bridge deck has to be jacked so the permanent abutments can be replaced. Jacking is scheduled in November 2013 which will mean there will be a complete closure of the bridge over at least one weekend.

Despite the bad weather last weekend, the open day had a good turnout with around 100 people and positive feedback received. Residents commented on how Fulton Hogan is doing a great job in difficult conditions and they were pleased to access a site that is usually closed to the public to see what is going on up close. There were also some good technical questions for the engineers to answer. Selina Dodge, a student who lives nearby, said she could not avoid feeling the 12 metre sheet piles that contain the temporary abutments being hammered into place. She was interested to see how the temporary abutments worked, as was her father. They were looking forward to a much shorter trip in and out of their home each day.

Hopefully the sun will be shining on future open days.

ENDS

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