First step completed for new landmark city bridge over Lewes Road

The bridge staircase was set in place over the weekend of 22–23 January, providing the foundation for the completion of the bridge installation process over the weekend of 29–30 January.

The final stage will involve a complex engineering operation many months in the planning, with two giant steel beams spanning the full width of Lewes Road winched carefully into place, followed by six giant interlinked panels which together form the bridge deck. The new structure will soar nearly six metres above one of the busiest roads in Brighton & Hove, and provide a stunning new gateway to the city.

The bridge's main south beam on its own weighs 27 tonnes, and the weight of the whole superstructure is 191 tonnes – equivalent to 15 double decker buses. Overall, the installation will require the assemblage of 203 separate steel fabricated parts to form the bridge's span.

Footbridge first stage installation on the Lewes Road

Artists impression of the completed bridge over the Lewes road

The fully accessible architect-designed bridge will provide pedestrians and dismounted cyclists with improved access between the communities on either side of Lewes Road and with Moulsecoomb station, as well as linking new buildings which form the university's ambitious Big Build project. The new bridge will include a lift and landscaped steps to provide easy access for all in the local community, including residents of U+I's residential development at Preston Barracks and the Plus X innovation hub.

Neil Heard White, Project Lead for the Big Build, said: “Installing a bridge of this size and scale over one of Brighton’s busiest roads is a major engineering challenge, but the team have done a great job so far and we’re really looking forward to this weekend.

“Once it’s complete, the footbridge will provide an iconic and accessible connection for our students and staff and the local community, and will put a real exclamation mark on the incredible transformation of this part of Brighton.”

Completing the installation

Lifting the main sections of the footbridge into place will require a full closure of the A270 Lewes Road between Coombe Road and just north of Natal Road from midnight on Friday 28 January through to 6am on Monday 31 January. Engineers will work round-the-clock in order to minimise disruption.

Clearly signed pedestrian and cycle access will be in place throughout the installation work, while traffic diversions will operate via the A23 and A27. There will be some changes to local bus routes, with full details available on the Brighton & Hove bus service update site.