Finishing line in sight as by-pass takes shape
Last updated 13:25, Thursday, 03 July 2008
BEHIND the scenes, progress on the multi-million pound project to divert traffic around Haydon Bridge is well under way.
Hidden away from the A69, the main bulk of the work on the creation of the by-pass is on target to be completed by the spring next year.
The scheme involves building a 1.8 mile long single carriageway which will include a viaduct over the River South Tyne and the railway line, as well as a further three new bridges.
Construction of the £25 million by-pass started in February last year and work is going flat out on the high profile project. There are currently 147 workers on site.
Highways Agency project manager, Graham Dakin, said: “A lot of this work you can’t actually see. It is hidden from view and we want to show people the progress we are making with it.”
Heavy rainfall last summer disrupted construction and put the work behind schedule.
Since then, through determination and dedication, the team has pulled together and caught up.
The workers are hoping for the rain clouds to stay closed as they have recently started work on one of the major parts of the development.
The project team will now principally concentrate on constructing the main bridge over the South Tyne in the coming months.
Part of the bridge is erected and is expected to be complete by the end of August.
The bridge – named the South Tyne Viaduct – is a 160 metre, four span structure that is crucial to the project.
One of the bridge’s spans will be over the railway line and the emphasis is on getting the work done as quickly as possible.
Two of the bridge’s columns are being placed in the river, and rain in the coming months could seriously hinder progress.
The team has taken into consideration the environmental issues surrounding the construction of the viaduct.
Mr Dakin said: “We have worked very closely with the Environment Agency to plan what we are doing and how we are doing it.
“Because the South Tyne is a salmon river, we need to be out of the water by October before the salmon start spawning.”
Remarkable headway has also been made on the construction of a bridge over Gee’s Wood. The three span structure will take vehicles over Langley Burn.
Work has had to be approached cautiously at Gee’s Wood because the site is a steep sided valley.
Three concrete beams are already in place and the top decking will be installed there shortly.
Construction workers have assured villagers that any work joining the by-pass to the A69 will be left until the latest dates possible.
The reasoning behind this is so that there are no unnecessary traffic delays in the area.
People driving through Haydon Bridge will be glad to hear that the developers have decided not to place temporary traffic lights in the area over the peak summer months.
Work to the west of Haydon Bridge on the A69 has been completed and the single carriageway is now open to traffic.
Drivers, however, will later suffer some delays for a number of weeks, as traffic signals will be placed to the east of the village in August, after the heavier traffic of the summer holidays has died down.
The construction team is working closely with the villagers and has vowed to keep traffic congestion to a minimum wherever possible.
Residents have been campaigning for a by-pass for over 30 years. They are being kept up to date with progress on the work, and are delighted that traffic is finally going to be diverted away from the village.
Mr Dakin said: “It is good to work with the community, who have campaigned for this for so long, and we are trying to minimise all disruptions.”
All in all, the developers are pleased with the speed of the development.
Mr Dakin added: “We are on programme to finish on time and we will make our best efforts to better that.”
