A major £31million project has finally been completed two years after work started on a busy ring road flyover in Leeds.
The Regent Street Flyover project has fully reopened the A64 to traffic following the removal of the contra-flow marks.
Construction works of the new flyover started two years ago in May 2020, and since then, both the southern and northern structures were demolished and rebuilt, with over 120 metres of new bridge installed.
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Before the pandemic, an estimated 43,000 vehicles passed over it every day while 30,000 vehicles passed below it on the A61.
However, The New York Road tunnel off-slip will remain closed while further work is carried out in the tunnel.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council has stated The works have been completed as planned through a £31million investment, with Balfour Beatty contracted to carry out the construction and bridge designed by WSP.
These works form part of the Connecting Leeds transport strategy for the city.
Connecting Leeds is working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, partners, and stakeholders to improve all aspects of the transport network in Leeds and connecting to the wider Leeds City Region.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “We’re delighted to see the highway fully reopen to vehicles again, across this important scheme replacing a key piece of the City’s infrastructure. I’m pleased to see this scheme completed on schedule, after two years of very challenging work through the pandemic. The maintenance of this essential route is vital to keeping traffic flowing around the city.
“Throughout the project, there’s also been significant contributions to the local economy. For example, contractors have mainly employed local people, engaged with up to 2,000 local students about working in construction and the site team have volunteered 243 hours in the local community. This has been a fantastic effort and investment in our local communities. And it’s great to also see almost 100% of waste diverted from landfill, with 227 tonnes of CO2 saved on the project.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in working on this scheme, along with people’s ongoing patience, while this essential project was carried out. Although it’s great to see another project complete, we’re conscious that there’s still a lot of work taking place around the city at this moment.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I’m delighted to see this major infrastructure project completed. It’s been a huge undertaking, but the result will last for decades to come and allows for work to remove through traffic from the city centre, creating better walking and cycling spaces for everyone.”
Stephen Semple, Area Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “We’re delighted to mark the full reopening of the A64 to traffic through the completion of the Regents Street Flyover, concluding two years of hard work and dedication.
“Employing 240 local people across the project, we’ve already delivered significant social value to the region. This new, vital piece of infrastructure will only serve to further improve the lives of the people of Leeds; reducing journey times and stimulating local economic growth.”
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