Plans to repair and resurface three major bridges that connect Pyewipe roundabout and Riby Square have been approved by the Council’s Cabinet at its meeting yesterday.
In August this year, the Government recognised the strategic and economic importance of these three structures (Gilbey Road flyover, Alexandra Dock Bridge and Cleethorpe Road Flyover), and allocated and additional £8m to North East Lincolnshire Council to help undertake the works.
The funding from Government will help prevent long-term disruption and closures for residents, as well as making sure local industries can continue to grow and helping to create more skilled jobs in the area.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Cabinet member for highways, said: “These are critical elements of our highway system in North East Lincolnshire. If these fail, there would be significant impacts, both economically in terms of the amount of trade that use the route, but also to our local population on a daily basis just in terms of going about normal life.
“If we don’t do the repairs now, the structures will only get worse, meaning larger scale repairs, and potentially complete closure of the route in the future. I’m thankful for the Government stepping in and helping us to get this scheme underway.”
Regular inspections and condition reports have highlighted the deterioration of the carriageway and the underlying structure over recent years. The planned works will include re-waterproofing the bridges and carriageway resurfacing.
Cllr Swinburn continued: “Given the scale of the programme, it’s inevitable that there will be disruption to the highway network, but we will be working with contractors to make sure this is reduced as much as possible.”