THE NEW ‘road over rail’ bridge on the A45 which has improved accessibility at one of the UK’s most economically important locations has won a prestigious national award.
The bridge located near junction 6 of the M42, was successfully built on schedule and on budget, reducing traffic congestion and supporting economic growth in the West Midlands. On 9th February it won the ‘Outstanding Project’ category in the UK Rail Industry Awards for medium projects (£3m-£20m).
The crossing is in an economically strategic location, carrying the westbound lane of the A45 between Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre and the M42 motorway, on the south-eastern edge of Birmingham. It provides access to many local employers including Jaguar Land Rover.
The project was commissioned by Solihull Council to address mounting concerns over traffic congestion in this particular part of the road network and as a solution to increasing maintenance costs and concerns about weak parapets on the old Victorian bridge.
The principal contractor was Carillion, it was project managed by SLC Rail and Network Rail also played a significant role in the success of the project.
The project cost £12M with funding from Department for Transport, Transport for West Midlands and Birmingham Airport.
The bridge, which carries traffic over the electrified West Coast Main Railway Line, is used by around 30,000 vehicles every day. All three lanes of traffic remained open throughout.
Councillor Ted Richards OBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Solihull Council said: “The importance of this project for the regional and strategic highway network really cannot be underestimated and this award is well deserved.
“The replacement of the A45 South Bridge removed a significant pinch point on one of the busiest roads in our Borough and will ensure continuous accessibility to one of the UK’s most economically important locations.
“I would like to again thank Solihull Council Officers, Carillion and SLC Rail and for their exceptional project management of this scheme. Overcoming significant risks, this major project was delivered on time and without significant disruption to the high volume of road and rail users who pass through this area.”
