The huge UK bridge set for £14m repair works in major city | UK | News


A major refurbishment project is underway for the A13 River Lea Crossing in East London, as the historic bridge undergoes essential repairs valued at £14 million.

The project is being led by VolkerFitzpatrick, a contractor appointed to support Transport for London’s initiative to create a safer and more resilient road network across the city.

The River Lea Crossing, originally constructed in the 1930s, is a crucial artery for London’s transport system.

The single-span steel arch bridge, which stretches 60 meters, supports six lanes of traffic and is a vital part of the A13, the second busiest route in and out of London, accommodating around 40 million vehicles each year.

The refurbishment will include significant strengthening works both above and below the bridge deck. VolkerFitzpatrick has begun by replacing steelwork and repainting the underside of the bridge.

The next phase will focus on the deck itself, with planned waterproofing, resurfacing, and the installation of new bridge parapets designed to enhance safety for all users.

“These upgrade works will provide a vital step towards reducing long-term disruption and will significantly improve the infrastructure for decades to come,” said Diyal Norris, operations director for infrastructure at VolkerFitzpatrick.

The project is designed to “enhance the bridge’s long-term durability, reducing the need for disruptive emergency repairs and minimizing impact on local communities.”

Despite the scale of the project, efforts are being made to minimize disruption for road users. The contractor has implemented carefully phased traffic management measures that ensure at least two lanes in both directions remain open throughout the duration of the works.

The refurbishment was designed by Hewson Consulting, which conducted an extensive program of surveys, inspections, and assessments to confirm that refurbishing the existing structure was feasible.

This approach, aligned with the “build less” philosophy outlined in PAS 2080, allows for substantial savings in embodied carbon—estimated to be around 50 percent compared to a complete replacement of the bridge.

The refurbishment is being managed in two phases, beginning with an early contractor involvement phase to ensure that the proposals were practical and any potential risks were identified.

The second phase involved detailed design work, which Hewson will continue to oversee throughout the construction process.

The project has required close collaboration with several key stakeholders, including the Canal and River Trust, the Environmental Agency, the Port of London Authority, and the Marine Management Organisation. This cooperation is crucial to ensuring that the work is carried out with minimal environmental impact.

Road Management Services, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of a 25km stretch of the A13, appointed VolkerFitzpatrick to lead the project. This section of the A13 is one of London’s main road corridors and includes several other major bridge construction projects.

As work progresses, the River Lea Crossing refurbishment is expected to significantly enhance the reliability and safety of this key piece of infrastructure. Once completed, the bridge will be better equipped to handle the heavy traffic that passes over it daily, ensuring its continued function for many years to come.

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