Last updated at 12:40, Monday, 15 March 2010

THE first section of Workington’s temporary road bridge has been launched across the river.

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The 16-yard section was launched over the water on Tuesday.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said: “This launch was completed as planned and the remaining length of the bridge will be installed across the river over the coming days.

“By the end of the weekend people should be able to see the bridge structure really taking shape.”

Workers from construction firm Morgan Est have been working on site since mid February on the two-lane, 350-tonne road bridge, which will cross the river 220 yards upstream of the collapsed Northside Bridge.

All major foundation work has now been completed.

An access road is being built beside the Borough Park football ground to link the bridge with the roundabout near Tesco.

The spokesman said good progress had been made on the project so far, with parts of the construction completed ahead of schedule.

However, he added, the planned completion date remains as May 28 in case anything unforeseen crops up to delay the remaining work.

Meanwhile, background work is still being done to determine how to replace Northside Bridge and whether to repair or replace the damaged Workington Bridge.

First published at 19:28, Thursday, 11 March 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk