A method and apparatus is disclosed for effecting, in a preferred embodiment, a double-sided web splice for paper webs produced in the papermaking process. A trailing portion of a first paper web is held and cross-cut over a support beam which is selectively moved into, and out of, supporting position beneath. The leading portion of a second paper web is brought into position over the support beam where the second paper web is also held and cross-cut. Carriages containing first and second tape means traverse the trailing and leading edges of the webs. On one carriage is mounted a plow-like web lifting and separating apparatus for contacting the leading and trailing edges of the webs and forming a splice bed between the temporarily lifted and separated web edges. A first tape means is mounted to the carriage to extend an adhesive tape in the web bed, the tape having a non-adhesive side supported on the beam. A second tape dispensing apparatus is mounted to a second carriage for applying a second adhesive tape with an adhesive side facing downwardly against the edges of the first and second webs over the support beam. A web pressing apparatus is mounted on the second carriage downstream of the second tape dispensing apparatus for pressing the tapes together to splice the webs together.