£350,000 A66 Keswick bridge project to reduce disruption for drivers
A £350,000 project to future-proof a bridge along the A66 between Keswick and Threlkeld in Cumbria is getting underway next month.
National Highways is delivering a major refurbishment of the bridge which carries the road over the River Greta just west of Threlkeld village. The two-week project will start on Sunday 15 September and is due to be completed by Monday 30 September.
The work includes resurfacing 220 metres of bridge deck, installing five new expansion joints - mechanisms which allow the bridge structure to expand or contract during changes in the weather - and renewing the deck waterproofing.
National Highways project manager William Paterson said:
“The bridge is more than 50 years old and over the last few years we’ve had to carry out a series of running repairs. This comprehensive overhaul will help provide safe, smooth and reliable journeys along the A66 for decades to come and reduce the need for reactive repairs and the associated inconvenience for road users.
“We’ll be working as hard as possible to minimise disruption to drivers’ journeys over the two weeks but some delays in and out of Keswick are to be expected and we advise people to check traffic conditions before setting off and leave a little bit of extra time for travelling - or choose an alternative route.”
The project has been deliberately scheduled to take place outside the summer holiday window with round-the-clock working agreed to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible. The temporary traffic signals will be monitored at peak times to reduce waiting times at the lights. During overnight periods traffic will be escorted through the closure by a convoy vehicle.
Subject to progress with the project, which could be affected by poor weather, the traffic lights will be removed at noon on Fridays and not restored until Sunday evenings, reducing the inconvenience of roadworks around Keswick which is especially busy at weekends.
More information on the project is available at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/ and updates will also be posted on National Highways’ regional X feed @HighwaysNWest.
Notes to Editors
Picture: The bridge carrying the A66 between Keswick and Threlkeld over the River Greta is in need of a major refurbishment which will eliminate the need for further 'running repairs'.
