Bridge workers lift floating pontoon onto the Brayford

You guessed it, this morning’s story about workers downing tools was an April Fools. Turns out though, progress is taking an interesting turn on the Brayford footbridge project.

Contractors on site appear to be lifting platforms onto the water with a giant crane April 1.

Workers told reporters on the site that the pontoon will connect Brayford Way to the university campus and will be used by workers and the general public to cross.

It should be completed by the end of the week.

Quick progress over the weekend included the addition of the supporting concrete pillars either side of the crossing. Photo: The Lincolnite

As previously reported, Network Rail said high water levels and loose ground caused the further delays to the 100 tonne Brayford level crossing footbridge project.

The current finish date for the project is Tuesday, May 14. The road and the level crossing will re-open the following day on Wednesday, May 15.

Brayford Wharf East was closed to traffic for six months until Monday, May 6. The crossing was also closed off for pedestrians in January with the finish date initially delayed until March 4, but these dates were both extended.

The team on site have been working double shifts to help ensure the work is finished in time, with a shift during the day and another in the evening.

Closures have caused particular disruption to pedestrians travelling North/South of the Brayford, as well as university staff and students getting on and off campus.

How the footbridge will look once it’s complete

The large structure made in Glasgow is being stored at Newark Showground and comes in three main sections – the span, the stairs and two concrete piers which act as vertical uprights.

It weighs around 100 tonnes and 65 metres from the step to the step. There are three different lifts and three cranes being used to bring the bridge in. The biggest crane is 300 tonnes but the biggest span being lifted is by two separate 250 tonne cranes.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Network Rail is currently working on a major project to install a new, stepped footbridge to improve safety at Brayford Wharf East level crossing in Lincoln.

“As part of this project, Network Rail has begun to install a temporary pontoon bridge to reinstate access between the university and the eastern approach across Brayford Wharf whilst the level crossing is closed.

“We’d like to thank residents for their patience whilst this work takes place.”