Work begins on key construction link across Olympic Park

Construction bridges within the Olympic Park will play a key role in minimising disruption to public roads and bridges. A 45 metre temporary construction bridge is being built in the north-west of the Park, spanning the River Lea and linking the Olympic VeloPark and media centre sites.

Earthworks are underway to prepare the platforms for the construction of the media centre in 2008 and the VeloPark in early 2009 and the temporary bridge will form a key link between the two sites, allowing construction vehicles to travel between the east and west sides of the Park site without the need to use public roads and bridges. Work has started to lay the foundations and construct the bridge abutments, allowing the bridge structure to be lifted into place in September.

ODA Director of Infrastructure Simon Wright said:
“With the Olympic Park site now in our full control and demolition underway on the Stadium site, work can accelerate on the sites of other key venues. We are already preparing for the start of the ‘big build’ next year by putting roads and bridges in place to link together the construction sites for key venues. The start of work on temporary roads and bridges is another key milestone and an important step towards providing a network of safe and secure routes across the Park.”

The construction of key logistics bridges has been prioritised to assist vehicles involved in the demolition programme which will see more than 250 buildings demolished across the Park over the next year. In total, the bridges and highways project will create more than 30 bridges, temporary and permanent, and 20km of roads in and around the Olympic Park to create a compact and integrated Park and leaving an open and accessible area in legacy.

The start of work on the temporary bridge keeps the ODA on track to meet another of its ‘Milestones to Beijing’ – ten targets to be achieved by the time of the Beijing Games in 2008. Milestone 3 states that the main temporary roads and bridges will have been built, giving access to a safe and secure construction site for the ‘big build’.

1 August

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For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700 or visit the website at www.london2012.com.

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