The replacement of a 100-year-old bridge on Kingsbury Road in Dalston, east London will reach an important milestone next weekend when the new bridge structure is lifted into place.

During next Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 January, a crane will lift the new bridge structure into place to bring a little nearer the time when the route can be reopened for pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge is on Cycleway 1, which runs from the City to north London, and carries Kingsbury Road over London Overground railway lines near Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction stations, and was built about 1916.

Because of the poor state of the old bridge, it had to be closed and replaced and was demolished last Christmas.

Once the new bridge structure has been lifted into place, there will still be many tasks to complete before the bridge can be reopened, which is expected by summer 2024.

Network Rail’s contractor, J Murphy and Sons, is carrying out the work, and they still need to:

• repair the abutments that support the structure at either end;
• pour, cure and waterproof the new concrete bridge deck;
• reinstate the road and pavement;
• reinstall electric cables that run across the bridge that are currently supported by a temporary structure.

While some of that work is taking place trains will not be able to pass under the bridge, which will disrupt train services in the area with rail replacement buses operating in their place. Passengers should check before they travel at tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

• On the weekends of 27/28 January and 3/4 February, London Overground rail services will not operate between Willesden Junction and Stratford, or between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction.
• On the weekend of 10/11 February, London Overground rail services will not operate between Camden Road and Stratford, or between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia’s infrastructure director, said: “Kingsbury Road is on a really key route for walkers and cyclists, and it also sits over busy London Overground lines carrying thousands of passengers every day. Our replacement bridge will help keep everyone moving safely and reliably for decades to come.

“I’d like to thank all those affected by the disruption while we continue to work on the bridge – we’re grateful for your patience and support on this vital project.”

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said: “We’re determined to create a greener, healthier borough, where it’s easier for all to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, cycling, and wheeling.

“The Kingsbury Road bridge is a really important route for local people, and its replacement will mean that it can continue to support safe, convenient travel for years to come.”

Cllr Mete Coban, Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “We are ambitious about creating a greener, safer and healthier Hackney and encouraging sustainable travel across our borough is key to achieving these goals.

“The reopening of the Kingsbury Road bridge will be highly valued by people in the local community, creating a vital route for walking and cycling and allowing people to lead healthier, safer and more active lives.”