A 130-tonne bridge beam hovered over the A34 yesterday as work to replace the viaduct over the A40 at Wolvercote continued.
The 50-metre long structure was hoisted into place by one of only three cranes in the country capable of the doing the job.
Despite a four-hour delay in proceedings, the beam was painstakingly shackled, lifted and fixed in place as a new viaduct is constructed in a two-year, £44m upgrade.
Community relations manager Trevor Spice is pictured with the crane in the background.
The crane is set to remain on site for a couple of days.
Highways Agency spokesman Roger Jones said: “The temporary structure is being used to ensure two lanes of traffic in each direction are maintained during peak hours throughout the construction period.
“When completed in March 2009 the temporary structure will carry the southbound carriageway.”
Mr Jones said the work, which began in May, was on schedule and within budget.
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