The crossing near Bristol should be operational again by the springThe A432 Badminton Road Bridge over the M4The A432 Badminton Road Bridge over the M4(Image: National Highways)

The M4 between Bristol and Bath is set to be closed overnight for a week in January to allow for work to continue on the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

The motorway will be closed in both directions between junctions 18 and 19 from 8pm until 6am from Monday, January 5 until Saturday, January 10. The closures will allow workers to remove concrete casings from the structure.

Work on the bridge caused the same section of the M4 to be closed for two full weekends in 2025 – the road was closed in March so that the old bridge could be demolished, and again in October to allow for steel beams for the new structure to be lifted into place.

The new bridge is expected to be finished by spring 2026, weather dependent.

An impression of the new A432 Badminton Road bridgeAn impression of the new A432 Badminton Road bridge(Image: National Highways )

Sean Walsh, Route Manager for National Highways, said: “We’ve made positive progress on the bridge and it’s great to see it nearing completion.

“In the new year, we’ll be working more on the sides of the bridge and eventually reconnecting it to the existing A432, which is a huge milestone for the project.

“Whilst all work in the new year is weather dependent, we are on course to reopen the bridge in the spring and thank drivers and local residents for their continued patience.”

During the overnight closures, a fully signed diversion will be in place:

  • From M4 junction 18, exit the motorway roundabout to the A46 heading towards Bath
  • At the A46/A420 junction just past Pennsylvania take the A420 towards Warmley
  • At the A420/A4174 junction in Warmley, take the A4174 towards the M32
  • Join the M32 at junction 1 and head to the M4 junction 19
  • Follow directions above in reverse for exiting at M4 junction 19

The eastbound diversion will be the same route in reverse.

After the concrete casings have been removed from the bridge, National Highways will be undertaking earthworks and other civil construction before reconnecting the bridge to the existing A432.

The new bridge deck across the M4The new bridge deck across the M4

When complete, the new bridge will once again allow motorists to travel over the M4 between the Wick Wick Roundabout and Yate.

The old Badminton Road bridge was built in 1966 and closed in July 2023, when a ‘detailed structural investigation’ revealed problems on the underside of the bridge.

Demolishing and replacing the old structure was deemed to be the quickest and most economical way to restore the motorway crossing.