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ENGINEERS have successfully lifted Shinewater Bridge by several millimetres as part of a major project to extend the lifespan of one of Eastbourne’s busiest transport links.
East Sussex County Council said the carefully planned operation was completed over three nights, allowing worn components supporting the bridge to be replaced.
The bridge carries Golden Jubilee Way and accommodates more than 34,000 vehicle journeys in and out of Eastbourne every day. It also crosses the railway line between Eastbourne and Pevensey and Westham.
Although the structure was only raised by a couple of millimetres, the operation represented one of the most important and technically demanding stages of the improvement project.
Temporary supports had to be installed beneath the bridge before it could be lifted, requiring both the road and railway line to be closed while the work was undertaken.
Engineers used the closures to complete additional repairs to joints in the carriageway and conduct surveys of the bridge’s safety barriers. The council said this allowed several tasks to be carried out while the necessary restrictions were already in place.
The latest work follows several months of activity at Shinewater Bridge, much of which has taken place out of sight beneath the structure.
A temporary 40mph speed limit has been in place on Golden Jubilee Way to protect engineers working on and around the bridge while allowing the road to remain open during most of the project.
Shinewater Bridge opened in 1999 and has since become an important route for residents, businesses and visitors travelling into and out of Eastbourne.
After more than 25 years of continuous use, some of the components that support the bridge and allow it to expand and move safely had begun to show signs of wear.
The lifting operation has enabled these parts to be replaced, helping to maintain the bridge’s structural integrity and prolong its working life.
East Sussex County Council said good progress was being made on the project.
A council spokesperson said: “Recently, we lifted the bridge by a couple of millimetres over three nights so that worn components supporting the structure could be replaced.
“This is one of the most important stages of the project and will help extend the bridge’s lifespan for years to come.
“Although much of the work is taking place underneath the bridge, both the road and the railway line were closed to install the temporary supports required.
“We also took the opportunity to carry out additional carriageway joint repairs and safety barrier surveys, making the most of the road closure already in place.”
The council said that, once the improvement programme was complete, the work would help ensure Shinewater Bridge continued to provide a safe and reliable connection for Eastbourne residents, businesses and visitors for many years to come.
