The next stage of the refurbishment of the Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge begins on Saturday evening (September 7) when traffic is diverted on to the temporary bridge.
Access for pedestrians and cyclists will also be provided on a separate walkway which is attached to the new structure.
The project is a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Canal & River Trust.
The move follows months of planning and weeks of complex civil engineering carried out by the Canal & River Trust’s contractors.
With the temporary bridge in place, work can now progress on the restoration of the swing bridge which is expected to be complete by autumn 2014 and will increase its life expectancy by a minimum of 50 years.
Lynn Riley, executive member for localities and a local Frodsham councillor, said: “Having listened to the concerns of residents and local businesses about any affects on this important crossing point, we are very pleased to have secured the provision of a temporary bridge, which will reduce the impact on the travelling public whilst the swing bridge is restored.”
Fellow Frodsham Cllr Andrew Dawson said: “The Frodsham community have been campaigning for several years to have this important bridge restored and the council has work closely with the Canal and River Trust to ensure that this is done in the least impacting way possible.”
Kingsley Cllr Ralph Oultram, whose ward includes Sutton Weaver, said: “The residents and businesses in Sutton Weaver have been consulted about these important works and will have access at all times, following the diversions put in place to improve traffic flows.”
Andy Johnson, project manager at the Canal and River Trust, said: “We’re pleased to be getting the temporary bridge in place, which allows the next stage of the refurbishment to get underway in earnest.
“The project we’re carrying out will mean the 90-year old bridge is restored to its former glory and is improved for the thousands of vehicles that use it every day.”
While the temporary bridge is in place, traffic from Frodsham will not be able to make a right turn on Clifton Road.
Traffic will follow a short diversion around Clifton Roundabout before coming back along Clifton Road to join Chester Road.
The Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge carries the A56 over the Weaver Navigation. Originally installed in 1924, the bridge is crucial to the 20,000 vehicles who use the bridge each day.
The works, which are needed to maintain the bridge’s current carrying capacity of 40 tonnes, will include a full replacement of the bridge deck and pedestrian walkways, as well as a repaint to restore its appearance and to protect the bridge fabric.
