en.Wedoany.com Reported - National Highways has announced a bridge refurbishment plan for the A40 Severn River Bridge, located in the town of Over near Gloucester, UK. Built in the 1970s, this dual two-lane structure on the A40 connects England and Wales, carrying approximately 5,000 vehicles per hour during peak times. Preparatory work for the bridge refurbishment is scheduled to begin on June 8, 2026, with the main construction starting on June 29, 2026, and planned to continue until March 2027.
Terry Robinson, Project Manager at National Highways, stated: "Many of the motorways and major A-roads we manage were built around 60 years ago and need refurbishment to ensure they continue to serve their purpose for generations to come." Robinson also noted: "The A40 at Over currently requires significant engineering work, which is crucial for ensuring driver safety and the future operation of this route." Robinson reminded travellers to expect significant delays in the area during the bridge refurbishment, advising them to plan journeys in advance and use alternative routes where possible, especially during peak hours.
The scope of this A40 bridge refurbishment includes concrete repairs, installation of new waterproofing layers, drainage system improvements, and other enhancements. During construction, a combination of lane closures, contraflow traffic management, and a 30 mph speed limit will be implemented, with traffic management phased as follows: From June 2026 to March 2027, a full closure of the A417 Over Causeway to the A40 westbound on-slip; June to July 2026, lane two closures in both directions; July to October 2026, eastbound carriageway closure with a single lane contraflow on the westbound carriageway; October 2026 to January 2027, westbound carriageway closure with a single lane contraflow on the eastbound carriageway; January to February 2027, lane two closures in both directions; February to March 2027, removal of all traffic management measures.
Throughout the project, CCTV monitoring and a free recovery service will be provided, and temporary traffic signals will be installed at Over Roundabout. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained, right-turn movements will be diverted via the A40 Highnam Roundabout and A40 Over Roundabout, and the eastbound bus lane will operate up to Horsebere Lane before merging into the temporary road layout.
Once the bridge refurbishment of the A40 Severn River Bridge is complete, it will effectively extend the bridge's service life and reduce the risk of emergency closures, providing more resilient travel conditions for communities, businesses, and freight transport along the route.
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