A section of the motorway will shut for three days next month, with drivers advised to stay away from the area surrounding two junctions
Motorists face disruption on the M4 near Bristol next month(Image: National Highways)
Major disruption is anticipated as the M4 faces a complete three-day shutdown near Bristol. National Highways has issued warnings to motorists that the carriageway north of Bristol will be sealed off to enable steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge to be put into position.
The M4 will be shut in both directions between junctions 18 (Bath) and 19 (M32) from 7pm Friday, October 10 to 6am on Monday, October 13 as eight steel beams being positioned across the carriageway.
It is the final complete weekend shutdown of the M4 for this development and the concluding major phase of reconstruction. After the beams are positioned, the remaining sections of the new bridge will be built with limited interference to the carriageway beneath and will welcome the public in early 2026, reports Bristol Live. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
The new structure – measuring 46.5m in length and 20m in width – will cross eight motorway lanes but will be marginally broader. This ensures the traffic lanes and footpaths are sufficiently wide to comply with current safety regulations.
The protective barriers along the edges are taller to enhance protection for pedestrians and cyclists.
National Highways has put a diversion in place
Sean Walsh, route manager for National Highways, said: “The beam lift is a huge milestone in the construction of the new bridge, but we appreciate that any road closures can be frustrating for people.
“We need to fully close the M4 because we’ll be lifting eight 80-tonne steel beams into place, and it’s vital that we keep those doing the work and motorists safe.
“Once complete, the new bridge will help reconnect drivers, businesses and the local communities that have been impacted by the closure.”
The M4 will be closed in both directions
Between 3,000 and 4,000 vehicles typically travel along this stretch of the M4 each hour during busy weekend periods, meaning the closure is expected to cause significant disruption.
Motorists are being urged to steer clear of the area where possible and consider travelling at different times.
A diversion route for westbound traffic will be as follows:. The eastbound diversion will be in reverse.