One of Grimsby’s landmarks, Corporation Road Bridge, is scheduled to be lifted this month.
The bridge lift attempt will begin at 9.30am on Monday 29 November to inspect the lifting mechanism and the structure’s underside.
A road closure will be in place between 9.30am and 3pm while the bridge lift is attempted and inspections take place.
Issues with debris and heat expansion have prevented two previous lift attempts.
Contractors bidding for the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed bridge will attend to inspect the apparatus up-close. A Special Interest Group, established by North East Lincolnshire Council and EQUANS, which is made up of local businesses and heritage experts, have also been invited.
The £4.967m project is supported by £2.967m from the Department for Transport, £1.83m set aside by North East Lincolnshire Council and an additional £170,000 from the Local Transport Fund. Restoration work, which is set to begin in February 2022, will once again enable it to function as a moveable structure. Many of its original features are being reintroduced or refreshed.
The bridge’s major refurbishment includes:
- Deep cleaning of all steel parts of the bridge, both above and below the bridge deck, including the structure supporting the control room
- Repairs to corroded steel parts and replacement of defective rivets and connections
- Removal and replacement of bridge deck plates and resurfacing
- Drainage upgrades
- Bridge waterproof replacement
- Repair works to the substructure at each end of the bridge and the piers, supporting the main structure
- Replacement of all bridge roller bearings
- Undertake conservation works to the control room
- Upgrade of electrical control system for the lifting mechanism
- Re-painting of the whole bridge structure
- Bridge lighting improvements
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “We’re all willing the bridge lift to be successful as we know there’s no problem with the mechanism itself. This is a great opportunity to test the bridge and allow companies bidding for the work to see the apparatus in detail. This landmark is so important to Grimsby and this is a major step before restoration work begins next year.”
Known for its stature and a visual symbol of the town’s roots, the bridge falls within Grimsby’s Heritage Action Zone. The zone covers a 2.5km stretch from 17-19 Wellowgate to the Kasbah and has been designated specially because it contains historic buildings and structures.
Engineers are working closely with Historic England and others to ensure the bridge will be fit for purpose and a benefit to North East Lincolnshire’s residents.
The works are currently planned to start in February 2022 and will take up to 18 months to complete. As previously reported, due to the structural works required on the bridge, a road closure will be required for the works.
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