Next stage of work to start on A38 Merafield Bridge
Work continues to install the new Merafield Bridge over the A38 at Plympton.
Work to install the new £6.4 million Merafield Bridge over the A38 at Plympton is continuing with additional lane and overnight closures required from next Monday, 8 February.
Next week the current arrangement of three lanes will be changed in each direction to two lanes on approximately a two mile stretch of the A38 for six weeks, while new drainage is installed and additional equipment, including a 750 tonne crane, is brought onto the site.
Highways England project manager Justin Marr said:
Construction of the bridge pier is well advanced and once completed; the next stage of the work will involve lifting the new bridge structure into place.
We would like to thank road users for their continued patience while we carry out this important improvement work, which is being completed as quickly as possible.
Installation of the new bridge structure is programmed to start on Monday, 22 February for seven nights. This will require overnight closures of the A38 for approximately 4 miles between Forder Valley and Deep Lane to enable the steel beams and concrete deck units to be lifted into place.
The final sections will be installed over two nights, commencing Thursday, 17 March. The closures will usually be from 8pm in the evening to 6am the following morning and a fully signed diversion route will direct drivers through Plympton between the Forder Valley and Deep Lane junctions.
The new traffic arrangements will be subject to change in the event of exceptional weather, as high winds would prevent any crane lifts for safety reasons.
The work remains on schedule with an expected completion date of July 2016.
There will be a further period of two lanes in each direction from early May 2016 for three weeks.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
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Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.