January 11, 2016 11.24 am This story is over 98 months old

Proposal tabled for new £12m rail bridge over Lincoln Eastern Bypass

Bypass decisions: Lincolnshire County Council will discuss entering a £12 million contract with Network Rail to build a rail bridge over the proposed Lincoln Eastern Bypass.
Councillors will discuss an agreement with Network Rail to construct a £12 million rail bridge over the proposed bypass.

Lincolnshire County Council will discuss entering a £12 million contract with Network Rail to build a rail bridge over the proposed Lincoln Eastern Bypass.

The bridge, delivered by Network Rail on behalf of the council, would allow the bypass to travel under the Lincoln to Spalding railway line.

A three-day closure of the line has been booked to allow for the works to take place on February 2017, with diversions planned.

The bridge will be a 30m span steel structure supported on four piled foundations.

Network Rail have estimated that the costs to the council of delivering the bridge, including their fees and risks, will be £12,386,591.

At present, the fate of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass remains unclear, with the council eagerly awaiting the green light for the project after a second public enquiry in August 2015.

DfT officials consider the case for and against Compulsory Purchase and Side Roads Orders for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

DfT officials consider the case for and against Compulsory Purchase and Side Roads Orders for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

With the decision expected any day, councillors are faced with a choice to pursue an agreement on the bridge, or wait for confirmation of the orders and funding approval of £50 million by the Department of Transport.

Delaying the agreement would mean the possession would be lost, as there is insufficient time to include the works in the main contract.

It has been recommended that councillors approve the principle of entering into an Implementation Agreement with Network Rail for the construction of the bridge.

The Transport Scrutiny Committee will consider a report on the contract on Monday, January 18.

It will then go before executive councillor for highways, transport and IT Richard Davies on January 20.