Ground investigations to begin for Hull footbridge
Ground investigation work is due to begin this week around the site of the Princes Quay footbridge in Hull which will be built next year.
Contractors for Highways England will be undertaking surveys around the location of the new bridge and road users are being advised there will be overnight lane closures to carry out this work safely.
During the work, one lane of the the A63 will be closed in both directions, Monday to Friday, between 8pm and 6am from Monday 30 November until Wednesday 9 December.
The A63 will also be closed overnight in both directions between the exit and entry slip roads at Mytongate Gyratory, where the A63 meets the A1079 Ferensway, to allow contractors to dig bore holes in the centre of the roundabout.
This work is expected to be completed by the end of January 2016 and drivers will need to travel around the roundabout rather than staying on the A63.
The footbridge over the A63, which will link the marina with the southern end of Princes Dock, is due to be finished by Easter 2017.
Highways England project manager Jimmy Holmes said:
It is important that we start this work to make sure we are on track to enable the bridge to be in place by Easter 2017, as an early phase of the main Castle Street scheme.
The new Princes Quay footbridge is a vital part of the project and will provide an important link over the A63 between the marina and Princes Dock.
We will work hard to keep disruption to a minimum and thank drivers and residents for their patience while we carry out this work.
Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City with responsibility for transport infrastructure, said:
We welcome the commencement of these investigation works which are a further clear sign of progress toward delivering the new footbridge by Easter 2017 in time for the UK City of Culture celebrations, as well as the continued commitment to deliver this major road improvement that is so vital to the future of our city.
The Princes Quay footbridge is being delivered as an early phase of a major project by Highways England to upgrade the A63.
The 1 mile scheme in Hull city centre aims to improve journey times with a proposed new junction at Mytongate and two new pedestrian bridges over the road, including the Princes Quay bridge.
Highways England is continuing to work on the development consent order application for the main scheme alongside traffic and environmental assessments.
As part of the ground investigation work for the bridge, further investigation to support the main scheme will be carried out at the same time to limit any future disruption.
Full details of different stages of the work will be publicised before and during the scheme. More information is available on the scheme webpage.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.