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Orwell Bridge joint expansion repairs to begin

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
John Fairhall/BBC A drone image of the A14 over Orwell Bridge. Vehicles are seen moving along the road in each direction.John Fairhall/BBC
Work begins to replace two expansion joints on Orwell Bridge near Ipswich

Essential work on a major bridge will begin for the next seven weeks.

National highways is replacing two expansion joints of Orwell Bridge, on the A14 near Ipswich, starting from Monday night until August.

The work is expected to cost £6m and once replaced the joints will last for 50 years.

Various lane and road closures are set for the upcoming weeks as well as diversions that drivers may need to know about.

What works are planned?

Martin Barber/BBC Orwell Bridge on a sunny, clear day. It is a long expanse of concrete with multiple columns that come down into the water. A boat is parked in the mud underneath one of the large arches. In the foreground is a sandy area with some grass.Martin Barber/BBC
The work is expected to cost £6m to replace the two expansion joints

Simon Amor, head of scheme delivery for National Highways in the East, previously explained the bridge had four expansion joints in total - two on each side.

The westbound carriageway joints will be replaced this year during the work and it is expected joints on the eastbound side will need replacing within the next five years.

Mr Amor said the work was "very complicated", but he was confident they would be finished in August.

What closures are in place?

Luke Deal/BBC A lane closure on the A14 near Orwell Bridge. Cones block one lane of the carriageway closest to the camera. A line of cars can be seen moving. Luke Deal/BBC
A variety of different closures and contraflow systems will be in place across the seven weeks

Here is a detailed look at the closures and other disruption that can be expected, according to National Highways:

  • From Monday, there will be overnight lane closures in both directions between 20:00 and 06:00 BST the following morning
  • From 20 June to 24 June, including weekends, the eastbound carriageway will then be closed overnight for the same hours. The westbound carriageway will remain open, but reduced to one lane overnight
  • From the morning of 21 June, a reduced speed limit with apply in both directions.
  • From 23 June, the eastbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane during the daytime, but the westbound will be unaffected
  • From 25 June, the westbound carriageway will be closed from 20:00 and remain closed
  • From 26 June to August there will be a contraflow system in place with one lane open in each direction, 24/7.

As well as this, National Highways said from 26 June the westbound entry slip road at junction 57 for the Nacton Interchange would be closed for the duration of the works.

"Our aim is to reduce congestion caused by joining traffic merging onto the A14 as all traffic approaches the contraflow," it added on its website.

"If you want to join the A14 westbound, you'll be diverted east to join the A14 westbound at junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange)."

What are the diversions?

Jamie Niblock/BBC A drone image of the A13 looking toward Orwell Bridge. The carriageway closest to the camera is empty of vehicles. The other has long lines of vehicles queuing. Jamie Niblock/BBC
Drivers are urged to allow for plenty of extra time when making journeys in the area

National Highways said the bridge would be open for traffic during "much" of the repair work.

It added the A14 was still the best route to take and encouraged drivers not to divert onto local roads near Ipswich.

However it did warn to allow for more time when making journeys.

While the A14 is closed overnight, diversions will be in place.

There will be a clearly signed route between junction 58 and 55 via the A12 and A1214.

I can't see any workers, so why are there closures?

Martin Barber/BBC A view of underneath Orwell Bridge. The River Orwell can be seen passing underneath it. Martin Barber/BBC
National Highways staff may be working underneath the road surface

Mr Amor said staff would be working "around the clock" to ensure minimal disruption for drivers.

He stressed that the work was not always visible and sometime workers would be carrying out repairs underneath the road surface.

National Highways added that sometimes workers would be waiting for construction materials to dry or set before continuing with the work.

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