New phase of Lancashire bridge construction commences

The next stage of building a new 6.6 million bridge, which will replace a 200-year-old wooden structure, is set to start in Lancashire. The bridge is scheduled to be finished by early 2026 and will connect Avenham Park in Preston city centre with Penwortham in South Ribble. It will take the place of the historic tram bridge that was closed in 2019 due to safety concerns.

Construction work initially began last year but had to be paused during the winter because of adverse weather and the presence of breeding salmon in the River Ribble. The bridge is being constructed by Eric Wright Civil Engineering, with sections lifted into place by crane.

Preparations started on Saturday, including the setup of the crane and the raising of its jib. Additional equipment was installed to support the placement of the bridge sections. High winds forecast for Monday were expected to temporarily halt progress. Once a section is lifted into position, the remaining construction is planned to continue throughout the week.

The new bridge aims to provide a modern and reliable connection while replacing the historic tram bridge, which had been a landmark in the area for over two centuries.

Author: Sophia Brooks