A £1million project to refurbish the Midland Bridge and make sure it’s safe to use for years to come will be started on site by Bath & North East Somerset Council later this month (February 2015).
The bridge supports the important B3118 Midland Bridge Road link from the Lower Bristol Road to the Pinesway gyratory into Bath city centre at Green Park. The works involve removing the existing paint coating to all steelwork, undertaking any necessary repairs and re-painting to restore the structure to its former glory. Works will commence in late February and are expected to be completed later this summer 2015.
Councillor Caroline Roberts (Lib-Dem, Newbridge), Cabinet Member for Transport said: “This ambitious project is part of an on-going commitment by the Council to improve key historic highway infrastructure assets and will ensure the longevity of important links into the city well into the future.”
The steel lattice girder bridge was originally installed in 1905 by the Corporation of the City of Bath, and was opened on 12th December 1905 by Alderman A. Taylor.
Due to the nature of the works it is difficult to determine the extent of any necessary repairs until the existing paint has been removed, but engineers’ experience of working on similar structures has been used to plan and programme the works. Works to replace the bridge deck waterproofing membrane and movements joints at either end will also be undertaken to ensure its future integrity and prolong the serviceable life of this important bridge structure.
In order to safely undertake the works and maintain pedestrian access across the bridge it will be necessary to close one road lane for the duration of the works. This will mean that traffic flows from Green Park Road to Pinesway will remain but in the opposite direction traffic will be diverted from Pinesway along the Lower Bristol Road and across Churchill Bridge back into Green Park Road.
Full overnight closures will be required during some parts of the work for the safety of the travelling public and those undertaking the works on site. Advance notification will be given – with diversion signs put in place both before and during the works to help keep traffic moving smoothly with minimum disruption.
The works will be carried out in collaboration with Raymond Brown Construction Limited following a competitive tender process.
Kevin Valentine, Divisional Director at Raymond Brown Construction said: “The Midland Bridge refurbishment is an exciting scheme for us and we are committed to delivering a first class project in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council which will serve the city well into the future.”
