‘Essential maintenance’ work to close part of the Orwell Bridge for two months

Motorists are set to experience delays on the A14 as the Orwell Bridge, at Ipswich, is set to be closed over a two-month period for what is described as “essential maintenance” work.

Two expansion joints on the westbound carriageway need replacing with the project due to start on Monday, June 16, lasting until August.

But there will be lane closures while the work is being carried out which is set to cause additional time for motorists travelling over the busy bridge, including:

From Monday, June 16, there will be overnight lane closures between 8pm and 6am.

From Friday, June 20, to Thursday, June 26, there will be overnight carriageway closures between 8pm and 6am, including the weekend.

From Monday, June 23, the eastbound carriageway towards Felixstowe will be reduced to one lane. Westbound will be unaffected.

From Thursday, June 26, until sometime in August, both carriageways will have one lane open in each direction through contraflow roadworks.

From Thursday, June 26, the westbound entry slip road at junction 57 (Nacton Interchange) will be closed for the duration of the works. This aims to reduce congestion caused by joining traffic merging onto the A14 as all traffic approaches the contraflow. Drivers wishing to join the A14 westbound will be diverted east to join the A14 westbound at junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange).

National Highways, who are carrying out the work, said the bridge will remain open for traffic during much of the repair work and they will encourage drivers to stay on the A14, rather than divert onto less suitable routes through Ipswich, but more time should be allowed for journeys.

While the A14 is closed overnight, drivers will be diverted using a clearly signed route between junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange) and junction 55 (Copdock Interchange) via the A12 and A1214.