New Viaduct Beams Installed for Major A428 Dual Carriageway Project

Beams have been successfully installed on a new viaduct that will carry a dual carriageway over the River Great Ouse, as part of a major National Highways project to improve traffic flow between Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The scheme involves constructing a 10-mile dual carriageway linking the Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire with the Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire. Once complete, the road is expected to ease congestion along the busy A428 and improve journey times for thousands of drivers. The new route is scheduled to open in spring 2027.

A 100-tonne crane lifted the 46.5-metre beams into position on the 200-metre viaduct, which spans both the River Great Ouse and Little Barford Road.

The installation represents a key milestone in the project, highlighting the scale and technical complexity of the construction.

National Highways described the work on the viaduct as a “significant step forward” and confirmed that the new road will be open to traffic in 2027. The project is expected to cost around £1 billion, with earlier reports estimating construction costs at approximately £1 million per day.

The viaduct itself is a striking feature of the development, with construction continuing around the clock.

As dusk falls, the site is illuminated, showcasing the scale of the beams stretching partially across the river.

Once completed, the A428 dual carriageway and its viaduct will provide a safer, faster, and more reliable route, supporting both local communities and regional transport networks.