Balfour completes M3 bridge demolition

Balfour Beatty has completed the demolition of a bridge on the M3 and will now start work to replace it.

Woodlands Lane Bridge, which stretches the M3 motorway between junctions 2 and 3, in Windlesham, Surrey, was demolished last weekend.

The demolition of the concrete bridge forms part of a wider £174 million improvement scheme which Balfour Beatty is delivering on behalf of Highways England.

The controlled demolition was carried out using a variety of methods to break up the structure and protect the carriageway beneath, including the installation of plywood protection, 150mm of timber mats and a further 600mm of crushed concrete. Unfolding geotextile curtains were used to contain the dust and rubble when the bridge fell on to the protected area of the road.

Managing director Stephen Tarr said: "I am delighted that the work went according to plan in spite of the poor weather conditions, safely, on time and the carriageway was reopened ahead of schedule.

"The bridge demolition and its subsequent replacement will help ensure that people, communities and businesses remain connected as part of the strategically important upgrading of the M3 motorway between junctions 2 and 4A that is nearing completion.”