New Semington Aqueduct, Canal aqueduct in Semington, United Kingdom.
New Semington Aqueduct is a canal structure in Semington that carries the Kennet and Avon Canal over the A350 road with two separate navigable channels, each 5.4 meters wide and 2 meters deep. The road runs through a cutting below to provide 5.5 meters of clearance for vehicle traffic, creating a neat solution where waterway and highway cross without conflict.
The structure opened in 2004 to serve as a bypass for Semington and Berryfield villages, which required rethinking how the road and canal could coexist in one location. The project successfully maintained boat traffic throughout construction, a complex engineering challenge for the era.
The aqueduct sits where the Kennet and Avon Canal crosses a busy road, a practical solution that keeps both traffic and boats moving without one blocking the other. This design reflects how modern engineering has adapted to preserve historic waterways in areas facing growing transport demands.
The aqueduct is visible from the A350 road and easiest to view during daylight hours. A nearby footpath along the Kennet and Avon Canal offers the best vantage point to walk close and see how the channels sit above the cutting.
The construction demanded 529 tonnes of steel reinforcement to securely hold the two channels above the roadway. A temporary canal diversion was created during building to keep boats moving and maintain uninterrupted boat traffic.
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