Vital roadworks on a bridge that forms part of the M32 in Bristol will ensure it remains safe, says National Highways, but the works are expected to last for at least six years and won’t start for another three.
Serious structural defects were discovered on the Eastville Viaduct north-east of Bristol, including damaged concrete and corroded bearings. Cracking on the underside of the bridge has also exposed steel, according to the BBC.
The government has now confirmed it will fund the project, which is expected to start in 2029. In 2023, the expected cost of repairs was at least £200m but have more than doubled to £450m.
“Our aim is to cause as little disruption as possible during this complex scheme,” a National Highways spokesperson said, adding that the structure was “now in need of significant renewal work, which is vital to keep drivers safe”.
The Eastville Viaduct was built in the 1970s and carries around 85,000 vehicles every day. Work will include repairing concrete and bearings, and installing barriers, waterproofing and drainage.
The funding will come from the government’s £27bn RIS3 scheme, and as part of the works engineers will lift the entire bridge to replace the bearings at the top of 130 concrete pillars.
Will Miller, National Highways’ project manager for the scheme, said he was “quite confident” that two lanes of traffic could be kept open in both directions during the majority of the work.
However, some overnight closures are expected and the speed limit will “likely” be reduced to 30mph.
Work on the viaduct will also include “noise fencing” being installed along parts of the road to reduce noise pollution for nearby residents.
The confirmed funding for the work comes two years after the West of England Combined Authority said it was exploring how to reduce congestion on the M32 in the long term.
An idea to build a park and ride was dropped in 2024 because transport planners feared it would push drivers on to residential roads in areas such as Fishponds or Frenchay.
(Picture: Mapillary)
