Following construction commencing in late July, the previous bridge has been demolished and the installation of concrete piles, steel reinforcement, and concrete supports has been undertaken to form a solid foundation for the new structure.
In the past week, the beams for the new bridge have also been installed, marking a significant milestone on the project.
Although the scheme suffered unexpected delays during the autumn, due to an issue with the supply of materials, good progress continues to be made.
At present, it is anticipated that the new bridge will be completed by the end of February 2025. However, this may be subject to change if Suffolk experiences further adverse weather over the coming months.
Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said:
“I am delighted that progress continues to be made on the replacement of Bridge Farm Bridge, an important asset to local residents and other highway users.
“It is worth noting that this is a complex project which has required a lot of additional work, such as the construction of a temporary dam, as well as working within the constraints posed by ecologists to ensure that we continue to protect and enhance Suffolk’s environment.
“We are incredibly grateful to the local community for their patience whilst we complete these essential works. Whilst we appreciate that the road closure required to enable us to complete the works has been frustrating, we continue to do all we can to minimise disruption and feel that the long-term benefit of the improved infrastructure outweighs the short-term inconvenience.”
Further updates on the progress of the scheme will be provided via Suffolk Highways’ Facebook page and website.
