THE final pieces of a new bridge in Taunton are due to be lifted into place today (Thursday).

A number of the beams of the 15.5-metre span and 34-metre wide bridge were yesterday positioned on the scheme as part of the project to upgrade Junction 25 of the M5 at Taunton.

The installation of the Blackbrook Bridge, which will be completed today, will provide a new arm onto the J25 roundabout, helping ease congestion by increasing the capacity and improving traffic flow.

The wider scheme is projected to improve journey times, reduce congestion, improve park and ride journey time reliability and create a more attractive gateway to Taunton, Yeovil and the A303 from the M5.

The scheme will also unlock access into the proposed Nexus 25 employment site and support other planned growth across Taunton.

Somerset County Council’s contractor Alun Griffiths is using a 400-tonne, Tadano ATF 400G-6 mobile crane to lift 35 beams into place.

Each beam measures 15.5m long, 720mm deep and 920m wide and weighs 17.3 tonnes and arrived in 18 carefully co-ordinated lorry movements.