40-tonne ‘pipe’ on A66 to be hoisted by crane one week after it fell …
The “pipe” that tumbled onto the A66 last week is set to be hoisted by a crane.
The westbound carriageway was forced to close on Wednesday last week after the mammoth 20-metre “pipe” – which has now been confirmed to be a gas heat exchanger – tumbled onto the road between Cargo Fleet Lane and North Ormesby[1]. The industrial object churned up the road[2] leaving a trail of destruction, with repair costs described as “considerable” last week.
Now, one week on, the over 40-tonne “pipe” is set to be hoisted by a crane on Wednesday evening. The huge object will be lowered onto a low-loader, before being secured and driven away.
Diversions will remain in place to divert traffic off the A66[4] – with the road remaining closed until the pipe has been safely removed. The A172 link road between Longlands[5] and the westbound A66 will also be closed from 8pm on Wednesday evening to allow access for the crane, with the road re-opening once this removal has taken place.
Arrangements for the removal operation are now being finalised by Middlesbrough[6] Council, with this being likely to require the temporary closure of the eastbound carriageway. Temporary repairs will then be carried out to the damaged road surface before it can re-open. A full repair will be carried out in due course.
The road has been closed for a week (Image: Middlesbrough Council)
Council working ‘around the clock’
The 1.5-diameter section of the pipe, which had tumbled from a lorry just past the Shepherdson Way junction, sparked the immediate closure of the road, which has remained shut ever since. Footage from motorists navigating their way past the pipe was plastered all over social media, with many joking that it was like a scene from Final Destination. Motorists have faced lengthier delays for the last week as diversions remain in place.
Geoff Field, Middlesbrough Council[7]’s Director of Environment & Commercial Services, said: “We are working round the clock to get the road back open as quickly as we can, but to do that we need to get the vessel lifted out and taken away.
“A lot of work has been done around weight calculations for the crane coming in to ensure we get it removed safely. Once that’s been done we will repair the damage to the tarmac and to the waterproofing on the bridge itself.
“Where possible this work will be undertaken overnight, but we advise motorists to avoid the area where possible until further notice. In the meantime I’d like to thank the travelling public for their patience and understanding, and assure them that we will have the A66 fully open again as soon as we possibly can.”
Further updates will be provided via Middlesbrough Council’s website and social media channels.
References
- ^ North Ormesby (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ churned up the road (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ ‘Dropped something?’: Huge 20-metre pipe tumbles from lorry onto A66 leaving trail of destruction (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ A66 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Longlands (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)