The new Bean Lane bridge near Bluewater shopping centre in Kent has fully opened four months ahead of schedule, National Highways announced today (Thursday 25 November).
The original bridge at Bean Lane bridge, which spanned the A2, a key route into Bean and Ebbsfleet and the Bluewater shopping centre, was reduced to one lane in both directions in March to allow for the installation of this new bridge.
Well ahead of schedule, the new bridge has reopened in time for Black Friday and the run up to Christmas which will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flows at this busy time.
The new 70 metre-long (229ft) bridge was lifted into place in August. The bridge deck and beams which weigh over 900 tonnes were manufactured by Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd near Darlington.
Edgar Vila Pouca, National Highways programme manager, said: “The planning and installation of the new Bean Lane bridge has been complex in many ways and is great news for the people of Bean, Ebbsfleet and the surrounding area that this bridge is now open ahead of schedule. “I’m very grateful to everyone in our national supply chain who has worked so hard to get this bridge open and I’d also like to thank everyone living, working and travelling in the area for their patience while this work took place.”
To build the bridge, the existing structure was reduced to one lane in either direction from mid-March. Partial closures on both the Bean south roundabout and Bean north roundabout were also installed earlier in the year to allow contractors to carry the work out safely during day-light hours, reducing the requirement for full overnight closures.
Robert Goodman, Senior Centre Director at Bluewater, concluded: “We are delighted that the main roadworks are complete and that the new bridge across the A2 is open to the public. This will make Bluewater even more accessible for our visitors in the busy run-up to Christmas.”
To find out more and check regular update. Website: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/south-east/a2-bean-and-ebbsfleet-junction-improvements/
Tel: 0300 123 5000