Concrete bridge beams for the new Stockbury flyover have now been craned into place.

Timelapse footage released by National Highways has captured the major milestone that took place on the M2 junction 5 scheme this week.

Engineers and construction workers at the site near the Stockbury Roundabout, between Maidstone and Sittingbourne, used a 500-tonne mega crane to place 18 pre-cast beams on the structure which will make up the new road deck on the south side of the flyover.

The beams measure around 22.5 metres in length – around the same as two double-decker buses – and have been placed on supports, known as abutments.

On Wednesday (August 16) the first beam – an edge beam weighing 56 tonnes, the same as eight African elephants – was placed and the last was slotted into position yesterday (August 17).

Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, said: “It was good to see a major step towards completing this much-needed project to solve the long-standing problem of congestion on the A249.

“In addition to that historic congestion, my constituents have had to put up with the necessary major disruption that accompanies any large road improvement project.

“They have done so with little complaint and I am sure they will be as delighted as me to see that the project is on schedule to be completed next year. We can’t wait.”

National Highways was able to complete the work without the need for road closures, keeping disruption to a minimum and traffic flowing on the A249 and the M2.

Once complete, the flyover will allow traffic to flow without restrictions over the Stockbury Roundabout, reducing delays and improving safety.

Daniel Rollinson, project lead for the M2 Junction 5 scheme, said: “This is a key strategic route through Kent providing an alternative link with cross-channel ports and the rest of the country.

“Our improvements to this important junction will help tackle congestion that drivers, businesses and the local community have encountered for a long-time.”

The team of workers on site also recently celebrated 355,000 safe hours on the construction site.

Daniel added: “Construction sites can be dangerous places, and this scheme is being delivered alongside live traffic lanes to help minimise disruption to motorways.

“It’s a real fantastic achievement to reach 355,000 safe working hours, and a testament to our commitment to keeping everyone safe and well.”

To find out more about our work to improve junction 5 on the M2, visit the National Highways webpage.