Bristol’s city centre has been affected by gridlock as no fewer than three bridges have been affected by repairs, the Bristol Post reports.
The importance of being able to carry out bridge repair work quickly and effectively in order to ensure disruption is minimised and the work does not have to be repeated for many years has been emphasised by events in Bristol over the course of September.
Bristol’s city centre has been affected by gridlock as no fewer than three bridges have been affected by repairs, the Bristol Post reports.
The Avon Bridge, which carries traffic along the A3029 in and out of the city centre on its western fringes across the Avon, has seen repairs starting, with the two-lane bridge down to one while work is carried out.
Work will include new expansion joint installation work as the four existing joints all need replacing, while reinforcing work is needed on the concrete deck and the road will then require resurfacing.
While this goes on, Redcliffe Bridge on the south side of the city centre has also been closed to pedestrian and cyclists for repairs until November, while walkers and cyclists are still unable to use Gaol Ferry Bridge as work continues on that crossing, which links Southville and Wapping Wharf across New Cut.
The difficulties for those on foot or bike could add further to the extra traffic queues in the city, which is known for its congestion and whose mayor Marvin Rees has suggested needs a radical new transport solution including an Underground rail system.
While bridge repair work can be particularly disruptive on busy roads in major cities, it can also be particularly important to limit disruption in rural areas where a crossing may be the only way over a river for miles around.
Other projects taking place at present include repairs to the River Trent Bridge in North Lincolnshire, which carries the M180 over the river near Scunthorpe.
This will be subject to overnight closures, with the work scheduled to be finished in December.