By Isle of Wight Observer
Island Roads is preparing to carry out major structural works on Medina Way bridge in Newport, beginning at the end of September.
The six-month project will involve replacing all 16 existing bridge bearings and installing two additional ones. The components sit between the bridge deck and its supports, allowing the structure to safely expand, contract and move.
The scheme follows two years of inspections, assessments, and planning by specialist bridge engineers.
Project manager, Luke Ward, said: “Medina Way bridge is the largest highway bridge structure managed by Island Roads, and replacing the bearings is a highly complex engineering operation.
“The bridge supports around 28,500 traffic movements daily and, unlike many maintenance activities, these works require the bridge deck to be temporarily lifted and supported on specialist jacking systems while the existing bearings are removed and replaced.”
Work is due to begin on September 28 and continue for around six months, with a break over Christmas and New Year.
The biggest impact will be temporary lane closures while sections of the bridge are supported on jacks. One southbound lane is expected to close for around five weeks from mid-November, with a similar northbound closure planned from mid-January. The closures will not operate at the same time.
Luke added: “We fully appreciate that reducing Medina Way to a single lane in one direction will cause delays and disruption.
“We have carefully considered alternative options, but there is no reasonably practicable way of carrying out these works safely without implementing temporary lane closures.”
Phased night-time closures will also be required for jacking, resurfacing, and movement joint installation.
Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter