National Highways is set to invest over £50m to ensure the M5 St Georges Bridge in North Somerset is fit for the future.
The extensive and essential repairs involve concrete repairs to strengthen the bridge foundations and lifting the structure 72 times to replace bearings underneath that allow for movement as well as removing and installing new bridge sections and parapets.
Resurfacing and drainage improvements are also included in the scheme to protect St Georges Bridge which carries M5 traffic over a railway line near Junction 21 for Weston-super-Mare.
All this will take place whilst keeping three lanes open in each direction for the 100,000 vehicles that use the bridge every day. Trains will also continue to run below thanks to complex scaffolding and close working with Network Rail.
The work will extend the life of the bridge and reduce the risk of unplanned closures for emergency maintenance in the future, delivering a more resilient and more reliable route for local communities, businesses and freight.
Early works have been taking place but as the scheme steps up a pace the next phases will see void filling, resurfacing, and the introduction of a contraflow later this year for safety. This will remain in place throughout the length of the main works.
Terry Robinson, Engineering Lead for National Highways, said:
“Many of the motorways and major A roads we manage were built around 60 years ago and need renewing to ensure they remain fit for purpose for generations to come.
“The St Georges bridge is very heavily used and is now in need of significant work, which is vital to keep drivers safe and the route running into the future.
“We appreciate this complex scheme may cause some delays in the area and we’re advising road users to allow extra time for journeys, especially during peak hours.”
The programme of work is part of the Government’s £27 billion five-year Road Investment Strategy which has allocated £8.4 billion for resurfacing carriageways and renewing bridges between 2026 and 2031. National Highways will also improve the northbound entry slip road by adding a second merge lane onto the M5, which will help to reduce congestion.
National Highways will also improve the northbound entry slip road by adding a second merge lane onto the M5, which will help to reduce congestion.
(Picture: National Highways)
