Work to replace two worn joints on the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk is on track and moving towards completion, says National Highways. From The process of removing the contraflow on Saturday 19 July with the goal of getting the road fully open by the end of next week. 

Martin Fellows, National Highways Director of the East Region said: 

“Our work has progressed very well and ahead of schedule. Last week, we reached an important milestone, with the successful installation of the new bridge expansion joints on the westbound carriageway. The new joints have been secured in place and final resurfacing and other preparations to return traffic to the westbound carriageway are currently underway. 

“It is very much weather dependent, but we aim to remove the contraflow in the next few days and fully open the bridge to traffic by the end of next week.” 

Overnight closures will continue until Tuesday 22 July in the eastbound direction between junctions 55 and 57 (towards Felixstowe). A single lane closure will be in place on the westbound carriageway, with one lane remaining open 

During these overnight closures, those travelling along the A14 will be diverted between junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange) and junction 55 (Copdock) via the A12 and A1214, and vice versa.   

The bridge will remain open in both directions during the day, although one eastbound lane will stay closed to keep our workforce and motorists safe while we complete our work.  

Contraflow will be removed and A14 Orwell Bridge will be fully reopen to traffic in both directions by the end of next week. 

From Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 July there will also be a series of overnight single lane closures in both directions between 8pm and 6am to complete the finishing works and remove the remaining traffic management.   

National Highways expects to carry out some further work to the footway and bridge parapet after the works are completed which may require additional lane closures.

(Pic 1: Paul Hutton. Pic 2: National Highways/Facebook))