A new £19.6M bridge connecting Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire on the A6006 near Hathern has opened this week, with full service expected to launch on 6 July.

The £19.5M Zouch bridge project has comprised the building of a new 83m crossing to replace its deteriorating predecessor, which dates to the 1930s.

Starting on site in July/August 2024, Eric Wright Civil Engineering served as the specialist contractor for the Zouch bridge project, which required a unique approach. Due to the presence of overhead high-voltage cables, the new bridge couldn’t be constructed using cranes. Instead, steel beams were shunted 36m across the River Soar using a specialist jacking system.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering’s role also included building piers and foundations entailing watertight cofferdams to build the bridge piers in the River Soar. The firm is also responsible for the demolition of the older structure. The old 80-m concrete and steel bridge will be dismantled and safely demolished in sections. After demolition, the old approach roads in Zouch village will be dug up and removed.

New approach roads were also created as part of the scheme and nearly 500m  of new road surface laid.

The full A6006 route between the A6 in Leicestershire and the A60 in Nottinghamshire will reopen once Network Rail completes its work at nearby Kirk Hill Bridge, which is expected later in July. Network Rail is raising and rebuilding the Kirk Hill Bridge in Sutton Bonington to clear space for taller freight trains and future railway electrification.

The Zouch bridge project – which has futureproofed a historic link between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire – has also made an economic, environmental and social impact beyond construction. More than 400 students have taken part in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) careers activities linked to the scheme. Businesses have benefited from £2.8M of spending in the local economy.

The opening preview of the bridge was marked by a ceremony involving Leicestershire County Council, Eric Wright Civil Engineering and local schoolchildren.

Councillor Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council said: “This is an important milestone for local communities and everyone who has been part of delivering this project.

“It’s wonderful to see the new bridge open and to provide something that will serve the area well for many years to come. As well as improving a key route, the project has supported local jobs, businesses and young people, creating a positive legacy beyond the bridge itself.

“The A6006 is a vital link, connecting people to the airport and freeport developments, and we’ve worked hard to deliver a high-quality, future-ready bridge while keeping disruption to

Eric Wright Civil Engineering managing director Gavin Hulme said the team was proud to have reached this key stage of the scheme.

“This has been a complex build with a number of challenges, and we’d like to thank the local community for their understanding throughout. It’s great to see the bridge reopen and reconnect the area, and we will now move forward with the next phase of works to safely demolish the old bridge.”

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