Refurbishment work has started at Avon Bridge on Brunel Way (A3029) in Bristol.

The essential work has been planned in to make sure the route across the bridge remains open as much as possible, to minimise disruption to people using the Cumberland Basin flyover.

The programme of work will involve replacing the fixed bridge’s four road expansion joints, removing its road surfacing to re-waterproof the reinforced concrete deck, and replacing the road surface.

The council's highways maintenance team will also take the opportunity to clear the road gullies and refresh road markings in the area, and are also planning repairs to the carriageway on Hotwell Road.

The road network through this area of Bristol will remain open during the first two phases of the works, although there will be one lane closure in each direction.

The last two phases will see weekend road closures in alternate directions. The dates for these are still to be confirmed.

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A diversion will be put in place via Coronation Road and Cumberland Road, which will be open in both directions for the two weekend closures.

The works are planned to take place over the following four phases:

• Phase 1: 20 September to 5 October - inside lane (lane 1), closures both north and southbound on Avon Bridge to remove surfacing and re-waterproof the concrete deck and replace the road surface

• Phase 2: 6 to 21 October - outside lane (lane 2), closures both north and southbound on Avon Bridge to remove surfacing and re-waterproof the concrete deck and replace the road surface

• Phase 3: southbound weekend closure of Brunel Way to replace the four expansion joints, with traffic diverted via Cumberland Road and Coronation Road

• Phase 4: northbound weekend closure of Brunel Way to replace the four expansion joints, with traffic diverted via Cumberland Road and Coronation Road.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Refurbishing Avon Bridge is essential to protect the structure from further water damage and keep the structure operational as it reaches the end of its lifecycle.

"Brunel Way is a major route, so we've worked hard on a plan to keep the bridge open as much as possible throughout the works. However, they are likely to delay people as they travel through the area, so we are suggesting finding alternative routes and hope that everyone bears with us while we repair this important bridge."

The work forms part of the council’s bridges annual maintenance programme and has been planned in after Avon Bridge was found to be in very poor condition during a detailed investigation in 2021.