Drivers are being warned of significant disruption to one of the country’s busiest routes this weekend. A major stretch of the M4 will be closed to traffic as building work on a new bridge begins on Friday night (October 24).
The M4 north of Bristol will be shut in both directions between J18 for Bath and J19 for the M32 from 7pm on Friday. It is due to reopen at 6am on Monday (October 27). It is closing so eight huge beams can be lifted into position for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.
Workers will use special machinery to instal the beams over the weekend, marking the final milestone in the construction stage of the scheme.
The work had been scheduled for earlier in the year but was pushed back because of delays producing the beams.
Despite that delay, National Highways still expects the new bridge to open to the public early next year.
Wales Online reported National Highways route manager, Sean Walsh, as saying: “We appreciate any road closures can be frustrating for people.
“We need to fully close the M4 because we’re using specialist machinery and it’s vital we keep those doing the work and motorists safe.
“Once complete, the new bridge will help reconnect drivers, businesses and the local communities that have been impacted by the closure.”
Up to 4,000 vehicles use the affected stretch of the M4 every hour during peak periods at weekends, according to National Highways.
It has warned of “substantial disruption” as a result of this weekend’s works and advises motorists to avoid the area where possible and plan journeys for different times.
The agency said if you’re travelling westbound leave at M4 J18 and join the A46 towards Bath then take the A420 towards Warmley at the A46/A420 junction past Pennsylvania.
After that, join the A4174 towards the M32 at the A420/A4174 junction in Warmley and connect to the M4 at J19 via the M32 J1. For those travelling eastbound, follow the same diversion in the opposite direction.
National Highways issued a reminder that road closures can also change at short notice. It said the work due to take place this weekend depends on good weather.
If the work can’t be carried out this weekend, National Highways said it will rearrange the closure for October 31 to November 3.