Hammersmith Flyover Reopens
One lane each way now open to cars and vans only
Hammersmith Flyover has reopened today (Friday 13th January) after being closed for three weeks due to the corrosion of steel rods which supported the structure.
The reopening is for just one lane in each direction and for light traffic only i.e. not HGVs and coaches.
There is a 2 metre width restriction at either end of the flyover to prevent large vehicles from crossing.
Garrett Emmerson, chief operating officer for surface transport, said: "This should significantly reduce the traffic disruption many thousands of drivers have been experiencing since the flyover closed."
The move follows from structural engineers and leading independent experts that the flyover is now safe to take light traffic.
Work to strengthen the flyover will continue for the next four months and it is now believed that the flyover will be open to all traffic well ahead of the Olympics.
The structural repair works will focus on strengthening six of the 16 spans of the structure. Once these repair works, which will see new cables installed within the structure to strengthen the flyover, are completed, TfL will be able to reopen the flyover to all traffic.
While the essential structural repairs are being carried out to the Hammersmith flyover, some overnight closures to the flyover may be required to allow TfL to carry out specific elements of the works safely. TfL will work with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to ensure that these are properly coordinated to minimise any potential disruption that the closures could cause.
Following the London 2012 Games, TfL will return to the structure to strengthen the remaining ten spans of the flyover, as well as carry out additional work to re-waterproof the entire road deck to complete the permanent repair. This work is expected to take place in a way that will allow as much traffic as possible to use the flyover during the works.
January 12, 2012
