Collett Delivers 45 Steel Bridge Girders for Lea Viaduct Link Road Phase 1

Phase 1 for the Lea Viaduct link road in Preston is complete following the delivery by the Collett Team of 45 steel bridge girders from Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd in Darlington to the new dual carriageway development in Lancashire.

Prior to delivery, our Projects Department undertook a detailed route survey using industry leading swept path analysis software which resulted in movement of various street furniture to enable access.

Liaising with local authorities, all required loads were accompanied by police escort along the A66M until they reach the A1M. From there, the fleet of pilot vehicles escorted each of the abnormal loads 107 miles to the site. Utilising their fleet of step frame and extendable flat trailers, both offering rear steer capability, all loads were able to safely navigate the tight access areas along the route.

The steel girders varied in size with the longest girders measuring 32m and the heaviest weighing 65t. Over the course of the 3-month project, over 2500t of steel were transported to site.

The £207m project is scheduled to open in 2023 with a 4.3km long dual carriageway linking the A583 at Lea to the M55 at Bartle with a new motorway junction. Phase 2 and 3 of the project is set to continue and will contain even larger girders than phase 1.

Source Collette and Sons