More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A new footbridge over the M20 near Addington is now fully open to the public.
The East Street Bridge opened on Monday - more than four years after the original bridge between Junctions 4, for Leybourne, and 3, for Borough Green, had to be demolished after it was struck by an HGV carrying a digger in August 2016.
The new 16-metre long bridge for cyclists and pedestrians was lifted into place in November last year when a new pedestrian access ramp on the southern side was also fitted.
The bridge platform which weighed more than 53 tonnes was manufactured by SH Structures, based in North Yorkshire.
The bridge platform was transported to Kent in two pieces. Both sections measured 8.5 metres long and 7.6 metres wide. They were joined together in the air and lifted into place as one.
Peter Philips from Highways England said: "It’s great news for the people in Addington and surrounding area that this footbridge is now open for use.
"I’m very grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to get this bridge open again and I’d like to thank everyone living in the area for their patience while the work took place.
The replacement bridge is believed to have cost £1.5m.
