M4: Bridge Maintenance Work

27 October 2012, 08:00

A seven week project to improve journeys on the M4 Welford Viaduct, between junctions 13 (A34) and 14 (Hungerford) in Berkshire, will start today.

The £1.1m programme is to replace a bridge joint, install two new crossing points - to help keep traffic flowing following major incidents - and resurface worn out road areas. It will involve overnight lane closures with narrow lanes during the day and is due to be completed, weather permitting, on Tuesday 11th December.

Two crossing points, which will allow a contraflow to be set up in the event of severe disruption, will be installed either side of the Welford Viaduct.

Gemma Luckhurst, Highways Agency Project Sponsor said: 

"Structures such as this require maintenance from time to time. One of the bridge joints has come to the end of its life and needs to be replaced. While we are replacing this joint we will also take the opportunity to resurface the worn out road surface and install two new crossing points in the central reservation either side of the bridge.

"The crossing points will allow a contraflow to be set up quickly and easily on the M4 should one side of the road be closed because of an incident. This will help keep traffic flowing and help to reduce delays on this section of the M4 when an incident occurs."

The work will be carried out overnight between 10pm and 5.30am with two lanes closed. 

Narrow lanes will be installed from Monday 29th October to allow three lanes to remain open to traffic in each direction during the day with a 50mph speed limit in place.