Work on Carlisle’s £212 million Southern Link Road project has hit its first major milestone.
A new 124 tonne temporary bridge that will provide access over the River Caldew has been installed, allowing contractors to work between the railway and river.
It’s a vital temporary link that enabled work on the much larger, permanent ‘Caldew Crossing’ structure to progress.
Over the past six months the council said the contractor and its subcontractors have made steady progress in ‘challenging conditions’.
The new road will be 8km long and will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West.
It will include four new roundabouts, four new road bridges, a combined cycle and foot path on the northern side of the road with four new shared-use overbridges.
The project is aiming to unlock economic inclusive growth in Carlisle through the creation of jobs, attracting businesses to invest, reducing congestion, and creating the infrastructure to support the building of quality homes and community facilities.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “This week marks an important step in the Carlisle Southern Link Road project.
“The project will vastly improve east to west connectivity as well as unlocking the delivery of the St. Cuthbert’s Garden Village that will deliver 10,000 new homes over the next 30 years and bring employment opportunities and significant benefits to the city and the wider county.
“I’m incredibly proud to see the first major milestone which has been delivered safely and in a collaborative and integrated manner with all partners involved.”
