A MAJOR 19-week project is set to be completed soon.

Network Rail began work on February 13 to replace the ageing railway bridge on Huntworth Lane which was in desperate need of repair.

While the new bridge was installed, residents in Moorland, Burrowbridge and Fordgate have faced a 26-mile round trip diversion to travel to Bridgwater.

But the traffic nightmare will be over soon as the bridge is set to reopen on June 26.

The taxpayer-funded scheme saw Network Rail work with Wessex Water and BT during the first seven weeks of the closure, then the new bridge was put in place in March.

Following that, 13 weeks of work was required after the bridge deck was put into place.

Network Rail said the money for the project had to spent within a certain timeframe, and if the scheme were deferred the funding would be lost.