Chelmsford’s Oasis Bridge refurbishment complete

Improvement works to Oasis Bridge in Chelmsford have been completed on schedule with only utility works remaining.

An eight-month maintenance programme to refurbish one of the largest structures that Essex Highways maintains has been successfully completed. 

The work on Oasis Bridge, Chelmsford, has been carefully co-ordinated alongside other nearby roadworks to minimise local disruption as the bridge supports a main route into Chelmsford city centre, carrying the A138 Chelmer Road dual carriageway over Springfield Road.

Essex Highways replaced the bearings to this four-span bridge using jacks to lift it in sections and renewed the expansion joints. Repairs have also been carried out to the concrete abutments, and the bridge deck has been re-waterproofed to provide future protection from the weather.

New vehicle safety barriers have been installed on A138 Chelmer Road for driver protection, and inspection platforms have been installed under the bridge to improve engineer’s access for future surveys.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: "This scheme was particularly challenging due to the limited working area and close proximity to utility services. I’d like to thank the crew who have worked hard to ensure the scheme was delivered on time with minimal disruption to local traffic on this busy route."

We would like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience during this period.

Some remedial works remain which require utility companies to carry out works on their apparatus and will require a lane closure on Eastern Approach in the New Year. Advance warning signs and site signage will be used to advertise these works.

All other traffic management under the bridge and on the A138 Chelmer Road has been removed.