Work on Preston’s new river crossing to replace the Old Tram Bridge is about to see major action.
Sections of the new bridge have been arriving at the depot on the South Ribble side of the river across from Avenham Park.
A giant crane is due to move into place over the next week and stand 75-metres in height.
Read more: Watch final moment of Old Tram Bridge demolition
Preston City Council has released details of what’s happening in the coming weeks as the bridge lift begins.
Work on the supports and pillars in the river itself were completed in the past few months ahead of the bridge assembly.
From Monday (24 November) the delivery of the crane takes place as 36 lorry loads of equipment as well as a 220-ton support crane move into place at the Eric Wright Construction site next to the river.
It will take between five to six days to assemble the crane.
The same week the final section of the new bridge will arrive on site during Tuesday (25 November).
Towards the end of November and into early December the lifting of the bridge into position will take place as the four sections are put in place over the course of four to five days.
The bridge weighs 150 tonnes in total and has been constructed in East Lancashire.
Work will then take place to re-dig the crane which will take place over the following week.
The new tram bridge, which replaces the previous bridge that was declared unsafe in 2019 and demolished last year, is due to open from Spring next year. Work on the site officially began in May last year.
Funding for the new bridge was found under the city’s Levelling Up bid following a campaign to save the river crossing and the city council working with both Lancashire County Council and South Ribble Borough Council to secure funding after a long-running wrangle over who owned the bridge was resolved.
Support Blog Preston: Help independent journalism in Preston to thrive, become a supporter of Blog Preston and help us do more community reporting on the city. Sign up for a membership today.
Stay updated: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox. Help us report too, by contacting us if you see something we should be reporting on.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
