Norfolk County Council update on Haven Bridge
“The major mechanical and electrical upgrade of the 92-year-old Haven Bridge is continuing with installation of the control system and associated cabling work currently underway. Until this essential project is complete the bridge will not be able to lift for river traffic, however the road over the bridge remains open to vehicles and pedestrians as normal.
So that we can safely deliver and off-load materials and components it has been necessary on occasions to close a traffic lane during off-peak hours. Further off-peak lane closures are anticipated on the following dates:
- 22 – 23 August
- 30 August – 2 September
- 5 – 6 September
- 12 – 16 September
The duration of the lane closures will be kept to a minimum in view of the heavy volume of traffic during the summer holiday season. The lane closures will only be implemented when a delivery is expected and will be removed as soon as possible after the delivery has been made.
We, along with our contractors, had been aiming to return the bridge to normal operation in the summer but further delays have occurred. These have been due to a continuation of the material supply problems experience earlier in the contract, the need to carry out works near UK Power Network high voltage cables, and most recently the lack of availability of the specialists who are required to commission the bridge due to commitments on other contracts. We now expect the work to be completed, the control system commissioned, operators trained, and the bridge returned to normal operation by the end of November.
The commissioning phase of the works will involve testing of the control system including carrying out several full and partial bridge lifts. This will require several overnight road closures which will take place from 8pm to 6am on various nights between 31 October and 13 November.
We have been liaising closely with National Highways to ensure that our schemes at Haven Bridge and the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing are co-ordinated with their scheme at Breydon Bridge on the A47. The commissioning phase for Haven Bridge has been scheduled taking into account the programme of road closures required for Breydon Bridge as it is essential that Haven Bridge and Breydon Bridge are not closed at the same time.
We are very aware of the disruption which is being caused to mariners by Haven Bridge being out of operation for a prolonged period and are working closely with the whole supply chain to bring the bridge back into normal operation as soon as possible.
This comprehensive upgrade is expected to resolve many of the issues caused by the lifting bridge’s ageing equipment. The upgrade will improve reliability for residents and businesses in and around Great Yarmouth.
A separate project to replace large parts of the timber deck of the bridge which would have required 7 weeks of overnight closures has been postponed, but minor work to replace some timbers will go ahead and require 5 overnight closures, which will take place between 13 October and 28 October. Signs advertising these closures will be erected at the bridge.”
For further information
Contact: highways@norfolk.gov.uk
Thursday 25 August 2022
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