A second new bridge is to be installed on the West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill as work on the infrastructure for the line – to be opened in 2023 – continues. This bridge will be in Coneygree Road, Tipton and comes after the old structure was demolished in 2020.
The work to install this bridge will take place from Monday 2nd August with road closures required on Coneygree Road and Victoria Road until early 2022. The new support structures will be the first to be installed ahead of concrete beams being lifted in to complete the new bridge.
Ian Collins, Project Director at Midland Metro Alliance, said: “The bridge is being replaced so that it can meet the needs of a modern light rail network. This is yet another major step forward in the project and is another clear sign that construction for this highly-anticipated route is moving ahead at pace, even during the pandemic. It is excellent that residents can now see significant activity taking place in their local area. We will continue to work closely with Sandwell Council in order to minimise disruption wherever possible.”
The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line is due to open during 2023 and will run for 11km. There are planned to be at least 16 new stop with the possibility of a further two; this will include a stop for the Black Country Living Museum. Its not yet confirmed whether it will have overhead installed along the whole route with investigations ongoing towards building sections without to allow battery operation.