Traffic restrictions on Jubilee Bridge, Barrow, will remain in place for a further month to enable bridge maintenance works to be completed.
The essential works involving the renewal of waterproofing on Jubilee Bridge are now scheduled for completion at the end of October 2018, subject to weather conditions.
Cumbria County Council apologises for the delay in completion of the works and has confirmed that two-way traffic will continue to be maintained during the day on Jubilee Bridge during this extended period. The council wishes to thank local residents for their patience while this important work is completed.
The North and Central section of the bridge works have been substantially completed. Works on the South section of the bridge are currently underway. However some extra time will be needed to finish this year’s work.
This is because significant additional remedial and repair works are required to some sections of the bridge deck before waterproofing could commence. In particular a number of repairs are required to the concrete bridge deck before waterproofing can be applied.
The full extent of this additional work only becomes clear following the removal of the road surface and it has had a subsequent knock-on effect on the waterproofing works schedule. As two way traffic needs to be maintained during the day, the council’s contractor Story Contracting, are restricted to working in a very narrow works area and it is not possible to switch onto other activities. Specialist contractors are required to undertake some of these repairs, whose availability can cause further delays. In addition, adverse wet weather over August and early September has also delayed waterproofing work.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “We had intended to complete the first phase of this vital maintenance work on Jubilee Bridge by the end of September. Unfortunately due to the condition of the bridge deck, a number of further repairs have been necessary before the re-waterproofing works could be carried out.
“We will continue to maintain two lanes of traffic on the bridge as much as possible during this period and apologise for any inconvenience.
“The county council is investing over £4 million on this important project which will secure the future of Jubilee Bridge and ensure this vital link between Barrow and Walney remains in good condition for many years to come.”
