Building work on the new A45 South Bridge in Solihull can start after the government agreed to contribute more than US$13 million towards the US$20 million project.
The new structure will improve a transport link that carries 50,000 vehicles a day. It will directly serve Birmingham International Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, Jaguar Land Rover and other businesses, which together generate over £2.5 billion per year and support over 80,000 jobs.
The new bridge will replace the existing 150-year-old structure carrying the westbound carriageway of the A45 over the West Coast Main Line. It will create an extra westbound running lane and an improved access slip road to Birmingham International Airport. A temporary bridge will be created during the work, allowing the route to remain open throughout.
The main works are due to start in January 2015 with completion in August 2016.
