National Highways is halfway through the installation of a new 91-metre, 92 tonne footbridge across the M25 in Surrey, part of its £317m Junction 10 upgrade.
The government-owned company said the new structure at Sandpit Hill will be one of the longest footbridges on the M25 and will improve links between Chatley Wood and Ockham Common for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.
It will be the first time there has been a footbridge at this location and forms part of National Highways’ commitment to create a new 5km route that will connect with many existing paths, tracks, and bridleways between the Ockham Park and Painshill interchanges.
The footbridge platforms are being installed in two sections, each 45 metres in length and weighing 46 tonnes.
The first section was fitted on the weekend of 13-14 January, with the second due to be lifted into place this weekend (27-28 January).
Jonathan Wade, senior project manager for the upgrade, said: ‘We’re keen to make sure that our scheme benefits the local community as well as motorists and this new footbridge will make crossing the M25 much safer and easier for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.'
To complete the installation, the M25 will see an extended overnight closures from 9pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday 28 January although the A3 will remain open.
The anti-clockwise carriageway will be closed between junctions 10 and 9 and the clockwise carriageway will be closed at Junction 10 between the exit and entry slip roads.
The bridge will open in the Autumn this year when the work to the surrounding embankments is finished.
National Highways said the scheme also features some of the most extensive environmental work it has ever carried out, including the restoration of over 22 hectares of heathland as well as planting new woodland.
