A key road bridge on one of Bristol’s most-used routes will close overnight in alternative directions for 10 nights, beginning next week. Avon Bridge, which forms part of the A3029 Brunel Way, will close at night for essential maintenance work.
The bridge, which forms part of a major route connecting south Bristol to the centre of the city via Cumberland Basin, uses expansion movement joints which allows the bridge to facilitate movement caused by temperature and vehicle loading. One of these joints has failed and needs to be replaced.
During the overnight works, one side of the dual-carriageway will be closed at a time and a signposted diversion will be in place. During the day, a single lane closure will be implemented to ensure that heavy vehicles do not disturb the repairs.
In a change of the programme of works announced in January, the first closure will affect the southbound side of the dual-carriageway, towards Ashton Gate. The closure will be in effect between 7pm and 6am from Monday (March 17) to Saturday morning (March 22).
The southbound diversion will go from Hotwell Road on to Anchor Road, then on to the A38 to St James Barton Roundabout, down the A4044 Bond Street, continuing on the A4044 along Temple Way to Bath Bridges Roundabout and the A370 Clarence Road to Bedminster Bridges Roundabout.
The diversion route splits from there with traffic travelling on the A4 Portway towards Avonmouth via Brunel Lock Road directed to Commercial Road, and then Cumberland Road, Smeaton Road, Brunel Lock Road and back on to Brunel Way.
Traffic wishing to get back on to Brunel Way southbound will go from Bedminster Bridges Roundabout on to A370 Coronation Road, Clift House Road, and then left at Jessop Underpass on to Brunel Way.
The second closure takes place from Monday, March 24 until Saturday, March 29, on the northbound side of the carriageway (towards Hotwells and Clifton). The closure will begin at 7pm and reopen at 6am.
The northbound diversion will go from Brunel Way on to Jessop Underpass, Clift House Road and Coronation Road, across Bedminster Bridge, along Commercial Road and Cumberland Road, then on to Brunel Lock Road.
Bristol City Council have warned drivers that anyone driving over the Cumberland Basin flyover during the overnight works are to expect delays throughout.
Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport and connectivity committee, said: “Following on from the emergency work in January and February, we are continuing with our planned work to replace the expansion joint.
“This is part of our ongoing maintenance of this structure. We recommend planning ahead and leaving more time for your journeys or finding alternative routes for these upcoming one-way closures.
“Thank you for your patience while we continue to maintain this aging part of our transport infrastructure.”