en.Wedoany.com Reported - Welsh Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper MS has announced the government's intention to restart the long-delayed third Menai crossing project. The project aims to provide an alternative route to the existing Menai Suspension Bridge and Britannia Bridge, alleviating traffic congestion.
According to North West Place, Hooper stated during a speech in the Senedd that the government will build on existing work for the scheme to develop detailed options for the crossing. The project was previously shelved in 2023, with a budget of £400 million and a planned start date of 2027. The proposal involves constructing a four-lane bridge east of the Britannia Bridge, after which the existing bridge would be reconfigured for local traffic and bicycle use.
Hooper noted that the Menai Suspension Bridge has been closed multiple times recently due to drivers ignoring the 7.5-tonne weight restriction. These restrictions are in place to protect the bridge during ongoing maintenance. When the weight limit is violated, preventive structural inspections are required, leading to bridge closures and inconvenience for local residents. Through continuous inspections, a series of structural issues have been identified, including defects in key components such as hangers and bolts beneath the bridge deck. The bridge, which is 200 years old, was never designed to accommodate modern traffic demands.
Replacement of hangers and reinforcement work have allowed the bridge to reopen under restricted conditions, but it remains subject to the 7.5-tonne weight limit and traffic management measures. The current phase focuses on stabilising and protecting the structure, including repairs to crossbeams and bolts beneath the deck, as well as broader renovation work such as repainting, concrete repairs, and lighting upgrades. These works are scheduled for completion by spring 2027.
Contractor UK Highways A55 Ltd and its supply chain have adopted innovative technologies, designing work platforms beneath the bridge to avoid daily lane closures and keep the bridge open. The government is also collaborating with North Wales Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to strengthen enforcement and improve compliance with the weight restriction.
In the long term, the government will begin studying detailed options for a third Menai crossing to enhance the resilience of the Menai Strait. Currently, the Menai crossing operates as a system, with the Britannia Bridge carrying most traffic but being vulnerable to strong winds, while the Menai Suspension Bridge has lower capacity and requires ongoing maintenance. When one crossing is restricted, the impact is immediately felt across the entire region.
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