Works are set for completion by early 2027. Credit: Leicestershire County Council.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering, a specialist contractor, has announced the start of preliminary work on a bridge replacement project in England, UK. 

The 90-year-old bridge is situated over the River Soar, at Zouch, on the Leicestershire-Nottinghamshire border.  

It is being replaced due to safety concerns, including an 18-tonne (t) weight restriction that hampers heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from crossing. 

Eric Wright Civil Engineering has been tasked with constructing the new bridge.  

A turf-cutting ceremony was recently held, signalling the formal start of the project.

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This was attended by representatives from Leicestershire County Council, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, and other stakeholders. 

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Leicestershire County Council has allocated £19.5m ($24.95m) for the replacement works.  

The new bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing one and later shifted into place on a realigned section of the A6006 road.  

To minimise disruption, the current bridge will remain in use while the new structure is being built. 

The assembly of the bridge’s components will take place on land next to the river.  

Due to overhead high-voltage cables, cranes cannot be used, so a jacking system will guide the bridge into position.  

Following the completion of the new bridge, the old one will be demolished. All works are expected to be finished by early 2027. 

The initial phase includes constructing cofferdams on both sides of the river, allowing for the safe construction of bridge piers by creating a watertight enclosure.  

This method facilitates the pumping out of water to establish a dry work area.  

However, work will soon pause to avoid late-year floodplain risks and comply with Environment Agency restrictions designed to protect fish spawning sites. 

Earlier this year, Eric Wright Construction started work on Animate, a £45m leisure complex, for Preston City Council and Maple Grove Developments.