Press release

Overnight closures on A45 this weekend for bridge beam installation

A key milestone is due to be reached on the Tollbar End improvement scheme near Coventry this weekend when eight 20-tonne bridge beams - the equivalent of 13 double-decker buses - are lifted into place on the Tollbar Westbridge (A45 Stonebridge Highway side).

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Drivers are advised that the A45 Stonebridge Highway westbound between Tollbar Roundabout and Stivichall junction will be closed overnight this Saturday and Sunday (18 and 19 July) to allow the lifting and installation of the bridge beams on the western bridge at Tollbar Roundabout.

The bridge installation is part of the A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement scheme near Coventry, which will improve capacity, journey times and safety.

A full road closure of A45 Stonebridge Highway Westbound between Tollbar Roundabout and Stivichall junction, a closure of the outer lane on Tollbar Roundabout between the A45 Stonebridge Highway entry and exit slip roads, and a closure of the outer lane of A45 Stonebridge Highway eastbound carriageway will take place from 6pm on Saturday 18 July to 9am on Sunday 19 July and from 8pm on Sunday 19 July to 6am on Monday 20 July.

Paul Nagra, project manager, said:

We will be using a 500-tonne crane to lift and position 8 bridge beams onto the new Westbridge at Tollbar Island. In order to lift and position these 20-tonne, 30-metre-long beams safely, we need to close the A45 Stonebridge Highway westbound overnight on Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July.

The installation is a significant milestone for the scheme as it’s a key point of the bridge construction, which will allow us to start work on the bridge deck. We’ve planned the work to take place overnight to keep the impact on drivers to a minimum.

Road users will be diverted from Tollbar Roundabout to the B4110 London Road. At the junction with the A4082 Allard Way, drivers can turn left until they join the A444 at Whitley. They can then take the first exit off the roundabout and travel along the A444 Southbound to join the A45 and A46 at Stivichall junction.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys. Diversion routes will be clearly signed and marked with a black circle. Further information on the A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement project is available on the road project pages.

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.

Published 17 July 2015