Exceat bridge replacement project
East Sussex County Council has secured funding to replace the existing bridge with a new, two lane bridge to the north of the current bridge with improved footways, viewing platforms and a shared space outside the Cuckmere Inn. This will help:
- ease congestion,
- reduce journey times and
- improve accessibility for visitors to the area.
The project has been funded by:
- £7.9m funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2021,
- £11.28m from the Bus Service Improvement Plan Round 1 funding, and
- Funding from the County Council’s capital funds.
How will the bridge be built?
- Foundations for the new bridge
After clearing the vegetation on site, steel columns around 20.5 meters long will be installed on both sides of the river to support the riverbank. These will be capped with a concrete and covered with flint to help protect against flooding. Next, 60 large holes ( 1200mm diameter ) will be drilled into the ground on both sides of the river, reaching roughly 31 metres deep and drilled into the structural chalk underneath. These holes will then be filled with reinforced concrete to form the foundations for the bridge supports, which will hold up the new bridge.
- Building the new bridge
The abutments are then built at each end of the bridge to support the bridge deck and hold back the earth behind them. The large support beams that hold up the bridge will be built separately away from the site. When they are ready, they will be lifted by a crane onto the new supports. Once the beams are set, we will work on connecting the road and linking it into the bridge on both sides. Finally, the surface of the road will be laid, and the new bridge will be open for use.
- After the bridge is built
Once the new bridge is built and open to traffic, there will be some additional work to do. This includes taking down the old bridge, completing the road to the Cuckmere Inn, and carrying out landscaping and other finishing touches on the new bridge.