Huge bridge beams have been lifted into place in Calderdale as part of major improvement works.

Two huge cranes, one weighing over 1000 tonnes, were used to lift beams into place as part of a new bridge spanning the Calder and Hebble navigation, around Salterhebble, near Halifax.

Eight beams, 48 metres long, three metres wide and weighing over 250 tonnes in total, have been guided into position using the two cranes. They form part of a new bridge and link road between the A629, Calderdale Way and Stainland Road.

The beams being used are so huge, they had to be delivered to the construction site under movement order and a police escort, which required parts of the M62 and A629 to be closed to all other vehicles for up to one hour overnight on 10 and 11 January, and again the following week on 18 and 19January.

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The bridge scheme is part of phase 1b of the A629 improvement programme, which is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. It is one of the largest individual civil engineering project ever undertaken by Calderdale Council, with the road layout around the Salterhebble area being completely transformed.

The project aims to improve road safety and journey times between Huddersfield and Halifax and will also include improved facilities for pedestrians, public transport users and cyclists. Improving the efficiency of the A629 is forecast to reduce ‘rat-running’ through adjacent communities such as Elland, West Vale, Siddal, Exley, Copley and Skircoat. It’s all part of the wider investment in, and regeneration of, Calderdale as part of the Council’s priority to develop thriving towns and places.

The Council is working on the project in partnership with the contractor John Sisk & Son and work is progressing well. Major elements of the project are already nearing completion, including the reconfiguration of the Jubilee Road junction and new resident parking lay-by. The construction of new walls and stonework along the A629 Huddersfield Road is also close to completion and works are underway to prepare the land behind for landscaping.