Crucial works on the structure are going to happen overnight to further reduce traffic disruption.
With current works to repaint the A17 Cross Keys Bridge at Sutton happening, residents and businesses are being reminded of the upcoming night closures across the structure.
With works progressing well, and fully expected to be completed on the scheduled end date of July 1st, the night closures will occur throughout May to allow the ends of the bridge to be painted.
Since work began, crews on site have discovered seriously deteriorated sections of the structure’s protection and are replacing and repairing the sections as part of the works that will mean a continued lifespan for the bridge.
The project, which began at the end of February, is now into a critical phase of works. Because the work on the ends of the bridge means that the structure itself has to be held open for extended periods of time, the most obvious way to cut further disruption for road users is to carry out the ‘bridge ends’ work through the night.
With the May Bank Holiday happening next Monday (May 2nd), the temporary traffic management will also be removed for the weekend to aid traffic flow further. It will then remain in effect as usual after Monday.
In terms of the overnight closures in May, the dates that the bridge will be entirely closed to all traffic from 7pm to 7am are:
May 3rd, 4th and 5th
May 9th, 10th and 11th
May 16th, 17th and 18th
May 23rd, 24th and 25th
The diversion route will remain during this period and stays as A17, A47, Lynn Road, A1101, A17 (and vice versa). This is also the current advisory route should road users want to avoid the queues at the Swing Bridge at any point during the remaining work schedule.
Richard Fenwick, head of highways asset and local management services said: “We are delighted that the work on the bridge is running to schedule and is on course to be finished at the start of July, as planned.
“The planned series of overnight closures at the bridge are an essential part of the programme of works ongoing and by carrying out these works during the night, we’re hoping to seriously reduce the amount of disruption for road users in the area.
“We continue to be aware of local area disruption and traffic queues at times as a result of the temporary traffic lights and we are working closely with our traffic management operatives to keep disruption to the minimum where possible.
“We would like to thank local residents and road users for their understanding that this is a major set of works on a busy route and can’t be carried out in any other way. We appreciate that this is not ideal, but the scale and need for these repairs are vital for the continuation of the bridge into the future.
“As such, we are working extremely hard and at pace to complete these works before the summer holiday season begins.
“I would like to thank everyone effected by these works for their patience and the good will they have shown towards the traffic management operatives so far.”