A656 Ridge Road rail bridge to be replaced during nine-month closure between Garforth and Micklefield
A bridge over a railway line in Leeds is set to be demolished and rebuilt as part of plans to electrify the route.
The A656 Ridge Road Bridge, between Garforth and Micklefield, will be replaced as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s programme of improvements to deliver more frequent, faster, greener trains on a better, more reliable railway.
In order to electrify the line between York, Leeds and Manchester, the A656 Ridge Road overbridge must be reconstructed as it is currently too low to accommodate the overhead electric line equipment.
Northern Gas Networks also has a high-pressure gas main that runs via a separate pipe bridge over the railway, located next to the road bridge. This will be diverted first via micro-tunnel under the railway and will not require a further road closure.
Works will be carried out to divert the utility services which run across the bridge before the main bridge structure is replaced. Utility services will then be relocated back into their new permanent position before the road is re-opened.
Road closure details
A656 Ridge Road will be closed for nine months between March 2 and December 4, and all traffic will be diverted via the A63 and A642 along a clearly signposted diversionary route. Access to all properties and businesses will be maintained at all times and the weight restriction on A642 Wakefield Road will be lifted for the duration of the work.
Additional environmental weight restrictions will be placed on Main Street-Lidgett Lane and Bar Lane-Ninelands Lane in Garforth to minimise the impact of additional vehicles on the local community.
The footway over the bridge and a short section of the footpath to the north of the railway line leading up to Ridge Road will also need to be closed. An alternative route for pedestrians will be provided. Some of these sections will include unsurfaced paths through fields.
Drop-in events
A drop-in event allowing local residents to view the plans and ask questions will be held later today (between 4pm and 7pm) at Micklefield Youth & Adult Centre.
More information about the plans and divisionary routes can be found via the TRU website.