The construction of Fastrack, Dover’s inaugural zero-emission bus route, reaches a crucial stage on the weekend of Friday 14 to Monday 17 July as a new bridge spanning 31.5m is erected over the A2 at Whitfield.
A section of the A2 from the Whitfield roundabout to the Whitfield interchange (A256 junction) will be shut down to all traffic from 9.00pm on Friday, 14 July to 5.00am on Monday, 17 July.
During the 60-hour operation, a 150-tonne crane will lift five 30m steel beams weighing 14.5 tonnes each from the A2 into place. The beams were produced locally by Nusteel Structures based in Lympne, Hythe.
A signed diversion via the White Cliffs Business Park (Honeywood Road and Honeywood Parkway) will be in place during the works to install the bridge. Traffic heading to or from the Port of Dover is advised to use the A20/M20 where possible.
Dover Fastrack will provide an express electric bus route connecting new housing developments at Whitfield – and proposed new homes at the former Connaught Barracks site – with Dover town centre and high-speed train services from Dover Priory Station. Buses will also stop at the Dover District Leisure Centre and Dover Castle. Sections of the route have also been designed for pedestrian and cycle access.
Cllr Jamie Pout, Cabinet Member for Transport at Dover District Council, said: “The installation of the bridge across the A2 is a key phase in construction of Dover’s first zero-emission bus route. It’s also a good example of how the Council is working with Homes England and Kent County Council (KCC) to deliver infrastructure and public transport alternatives to support new homes.”
Installation of the new bridge on the weekend of 15/16 July is subject to weather conditions.
About Dover Fastrack
Fastrack buses will have priority on the proposed express route, including the new bus, cycle and pedestrian-only bridge across the A2 at Whitfield, and a new link road from the B&Q roundabout in Whitfield to Dover Road at Guston. The junction with Dover Road will be for buses, bicycles, and pedestrians only.
A fleet of new electric buses will operate on Dover Fastrack as part of the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.
Dover Fastrack also creates an effective transport interchange with Southeastern train services, making it easy to access High Speed train services from Dover Priory railway station for commuting, leisure, and business trips to and from London. It will also provide a quick and easy way to reach the town centre and Dover Castle.