A11 reopens early after bridge successfully installed

A major road has reopened a day earlier than expected after engineers installed a new bridge ahead of schedule.

The A11 near Norwich was shut on Friday and had been due to remain closed in both directions until Monday morning between the A11/A47 Thickthorn junction, and Wymondham, while the modular bridge was built across it.

The bridge is part of the Thickthorn junction project, which began about 18 months ago, and aims to reduce congestion by removing around 12,000 vehicles from the roundabout each day.

National Highways said the work had gone "really well", allowing them to reopen the road early.

The early completion of the work is good news for fans heading to Carrow Road, Norwich on Sunday for the Canaries' Championship game against Bolton Wanderers.

The bridge, linking Cantley Lane South and Norwich Road in Hethersett, was built in sections off-site before being assembled in place.

Part of it was built overseas, including six 100-tonne beams measuring 38 metres long, which were built in Ireland.

A specialist crane capable of lifting up to 750 tonnes hoisted the bridge sections into position over the weekend.

The full project aims to reduce congestion by navigating traffic through slip roads and underpasses.

More than 640,000 tonnes of earth will be moved during the scheme to create two underpasses and two bridges.

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