Come along and watch a new single span bridge be lifted into place across the M4.
A viewing platform has been installed for the public to watch the bridge lift from. The platform is located just off Blackboy roundabout on Lower Earley Way.
Lifting of the beams will take place on the following dates, with works likely to commence around 22:00, subject to weather conditions and M4 traffic flows.
- Monday 30th November 2015
- Tuesday 1st December 2015
- Wednesday 2nd December 2015
If wish to visit please register, once registered you may visit on any of the days listed above as often as you like.
Image: Nearby M4 Junction 11 Bridge lift, 2009
(Map showing location of viewing platform, please ignore google map at bottom of page, this is incorrect)
CLICK ON MAP FOR GOOGLE MAP LOCATION
Further Information:
Shinfield Eastern Relief Road (ERR) – M4 Bridge Beam Lift
The Scheme
The Shinfield Eastern Relief Road (ERR) is being constructed by HOCHTIEF (UK) Construction on behalf of developer, University of Reading. The ERR will be a single, 7.3m wide, carriageway road running eastwards in an arc from a new bridge over the M4. It will pass to the north of a small reservoir, to a new roundabout allowing access to the future Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP). From the TVSP roundabout the relief road will continue southwards crossing Cutbush Lane, to a new roundabout junction with the A327 Arborfield Road, east of Parrot Farm.
The new bridge over the M4 will have a single span of approximately 43m and carry six traffic lanes. The bridge will link the Black Boy Roundabout to the north of the M4, with a new three arm signal-controlled junction to the south. The existing A327 Black Boy Bridge shall be closed to southbound vehicles and buses to allow its use by pedestrians, cyclists and northbound buses.
Event Details
A major project milestone will be reached w/c 30th November 2015 when the 12 No., 43m long weathering steel beams will be lifted onto the recently completed abutments. The beams will be lifted as braced pairs, with a maximum lift weight of 68 Tonnes using a 1000 Tonne crane. HOCHTIEF (UK) plan to lift 2No. braced pairs per night during a full closure of the M4 motorway between 21:30 and 06:00, subject to weather conditions and M4 traffic flows.
A public viewing area will be set up north of the M4 adjacent to the Blackboy Roundabout for those interested in seeing this major piece of Civil Engineering construction (See attached Plan), which will form a key transport route connecting communities south of the M4 Motorway.
Dates & Times
Lifting of the beams will take place on the following dates, with works likely to commence around 22:00, subject to weather conditions and M4 traffic flows.
- · Monday 30th November 2015
- · Tuesday 1st December 2015
- · Wednesday 2nd December 2015
Access & Parking
No parking facilities are available on site, those wanting to attend to see the bridge beams being lifted will need to find a suitable and legal place to park and access the viewing area using the public footways highlighted on the attached plan.
Further Information
For further information, please contact Sam Goss, Highways Project Engineer (Wokingham Borough Council).
Sam.goss@wokingham.gov.uk
Web Link to Google Maps
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Black+Boy+Roundabout,+Reading,+Wokingham+RG2+9FJ/@51.4141236,-0.9480928,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48769cb212652c81:0x4a2b6ca0485a2fcd
PLEASE IGNORE MAP BELOW AS IS SHOWING INCORRECT LOCATION
