WORK has almost finished on restoring the Hockley Viaduct.
Avon Construction began repairs on the Victorian structure in June, replacing the crumbling brickwork.
It was threatened with demolition in the 1980s but will now become part of the National Cycle Network in a £500,000-plus project.
John Clews, contracts manager at Avon, said: “The viaduct work is 99 per cent done now and has all gone according to plan. We have basically replaced all the brickwork to make it suitable for the cycle path.
“All we have to do now is finish the path so it should be open by early 2013.”
The brick and concrete structure is more than 600 metres long and has 33 arches. Some parts of the parapet will be lowered to open up views over the Itchen Valley.
The cost was shared between the city and county councils, and bicycle charity Sustrans.
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