Sheppey Crossing

Sheppey Crossing is a highway bridge that spans The Swale, connecting the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent. The structure carries four lanes of traffic and serves as a key passage for vehicles moving between different parts of the region.

The bridge opened in 2006 as part of a major infrastructure improvement to strengthen the connection between the M2 motorway and Sheerness port. It was built to handle growing traffic demands on the A249 route more effectively.

The engineering design by Cass Hayward and Capita Symonds received recognition through the 2007 IStructE Award for Transportation Structures.

The crossing experiences heavy traffic during peak hours and provides a direct route between the mainland and the island. Plan for possible delays when traveling to or from Sheppey, especially during busy periods.

Engineers faced unusual building conditions due to marshland beneath the structure and used specialized techniques to position sections from both sides. This unconventional approach was necessary because the ground offered poor foundation support.

Inception: July 3, 2006

Official opening: July 3, 2006

GPS coordinates: 51.39061,0.74716

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52