Stockport bus station road bridge to open in 2019
A bridge linking Stockport’s planned transport interchange to the A6 is set to complete in 2019 after Osborne was confirmed as main contractor for the project.
The bridge over the River Mersey in Stockport town centre will link Swaine Street with Astley Street and provide buses with direct access to the new interchange from Heaton Lane. It will also provide a two-way link for buses, taxis, and pedestrians to the A6 from the interchange.
Osborne is due to start on site in 2018 and the new bridge will open to traffic in 2019.
The council has procured the new bridge as an advanced works package, ahead of £42m revamp on the interchange and the surrounding area. The value of Osborne’s contract has not been disclosed.
Cllr Kate Butler, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “This is another big step forward in our commitment to improve transport in the town centre.
“By improving access into the bus station, the Mersey Bridge will make public transport easier to use for everyone.”
Chair of TfGM Committee, Cllr Andrew Fender added: ‘’We’re pleased to be working with Stockport Council to improve access for the new interchange, which will support further regeneration of the town centre and be a facility that caters for the needs of passengers today and in the future.”
WSP was chosen in August this year to conduct a feasibility study for the interchange programme and to outline potential development opportunities around the interchange area.
The consultant is working alongside architect BDP to provide services including building services, environmental consultancy, structural engineering, and town planning.
The transport interchange is part of a wider £73m investment in roads and transport projects in the town centre.
The first phase of the work, including improvements to the A6, is already underway, while the second phase is due to take place between 2017 and 2020.
Earlier this month, Graham was picked to build the Travis Brow link road between the A6 and junction 1 of the M60, which forms part of the second phase.