A COMPLEX and delicate operation will take place this weekend to remove two 380-tonne bridges over the A64 York outer ring road.

The engineering work will lead to the closure of the dual carriageway tonight and tomorrow night between Grimston Bar and the A19 at Fulford.

The closures will last from 9pm to 7am each night, with traffic diverted via the A1237 York Outer Ring Road to the west and north of the city.

Specialist Dutch transporter equipment will be used to remove the bridge decks at Damlands Lane, Fulford and on the flyover at Fulford Golf Club.

The existing concrete bridges will be wheeled out in one section before being dismantled in a nearby works compound.

The two hydraulic trailers, belonging to Dutch firm Van Seumeren, are operated by remote control and have complete manoeuvrability.

They will be wheeled under each side of the existing bridge decks and their climbing jacks will hydraulically lift the bridges from their supports.

At no more than walking pace, the bridges will then be manoeuvred carefully into the works compound.

David Phillips, Highways Agency project manager, said: "This is a highly technical operation which has involved a great deal of organisation and planning.

"We are also aware that this is a very busy stretch of road and at all times we have aimed to keep delays to a minimum - the road closures are restricted to night time at weekends and we aim to have all the work completed by the start of the busy peak holiday season."

The bridge replacements are more than 100-tonnes lighter and will be installed on the following weekend, July 7 and July 8, when the complex operation will be reversed.

Project supervisor Mark Essam said: "So far the project has run quite smoothly. We've been very lucky with the weather. I think this sort of construction will become more commonplace in the future because it's less disruptive."

The bridge maintenance operation has cost the Highways Agency £659,000, including the installation of a temporary footbridge over the A64 to allow players from Fulford Golf Course full access to the course.