Steel bridge installed at major M25 junction upgrade

Said to be one of the longest footbridges on the M25, the 91m-long Sandpit Lane Footbridge has been installed as part of the M25 Junction 10 upgrade scheme.

Working on behalf of main contractor Balfour Beatty, Nusteel Structures fabricated and then delivered the bridge to site as two 45.5m-long Warren trusses, each weighing 47t. The trusses each span a separate carriageway and are supported by an abutment on the side of the highway, as well as central pier.

In order to keep traffic disruption to a minimum, the bridge was installed during two separate weekend motorway closures using a 750t mobile crane.

This is the first footbridge to be installed at this location and forms part of National Highways commitment to create a new 5km route that will connect with many existing paths, tracks, and bridleway.

Jonathan Wade – National Highways Senior Project Manager for the M25 J10 upgrade, says: “We’re keen to make sure that our scheme benefits the local community as well as motorists and this new footbridge will make crossing the M25 much safer and easier for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.”

The Sandpit Hill Footbridge is due to open this coming Autumn, once work to the surrounding embankments is finished.