ABBEY Bridge contractors Hochtief have given an update on their progress as the re-building project continues in Evesham.

The bridge over the River Avon is currently being replaced with work now well underway. Traffic is still able to cross the bridge and a temporary pedestrian bridge has also been erected. The bridge will be closed fully for 10 weeks in September when a diversion route will be activated.

Hochtief said on Friday that the bridge’s west arch has been scanned to confirm the location of the existing reinforcement.

‘This will allow us to core through the existing arch and bridge deck, The holes will allow the new steel supports for the bridge to be installed at a later date.

‘The temporary works installation on the south abutment has gone well. The trench sheets and anchor blocks have been installed. This will allow us to construct the new reinforced concrete support for the new arch.

‘The demolition of the bridge has also progressed well with the removal of the remaining pilasters. We have commenced the demolition of the south bridge abutments. The existing concrete abutments need to be broken down approximately two metres to allow the construction of the new reinforced concrete support for the new arch. This will be completed next week.

‘On the river (working off barges), we have been preparing the river bed for the installation of the temporary dams. This has involved dredging the river bed with an excavator placed on a barge. Among the things we have found are four shopping trolleys.

‘We will be installing a temporary dam around the north abutment of the bridge [this week]. The dam will reduce the overall width of the river by 7.5m but the main navigation channel will not be effected.’