Repair work on A49 Shrewsbury bypass

Essential work is to be carried out to replace expansion joints at each end of the two bridges which carry the A49 Shrewsbury bypass over the River Severn between the Sundorne and Preston roundabouts. 

The work is due to start on Monday 11 June 2012 and is expected to last for up to six weeks. 

It will also include the resurfacing of the length of road carried by each bridge. 

To minimise traffic disruption, it is proposed that the majority of the work will be carried out overnight between 7pm and 7am on Mondays to Fridays.  During these periods, the road will be reduced to a single lane under traffic light control, and a temporary 10mph speed limit will be in place to ensure the safety of both the public and the contractor’s workforce. 

Although Saturday and Sunday night working is not envisaged, it may be necessary to work on some Saturday or Sunday nights in the event of the work being hindered by bad weather or some other unforeseen reason.  

Outside of the night-time working periods, the road will remain open to two lane traffic subject to a temporary 30mph speed limit. 

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for bridge maintenance, said:

“Unfortunately the work is necessary because the existing expansion joints have reached the end of their serviceable life and are beginning to break up.  If they are not replaced, it is probable that they would soon become a safety hazard.  It is appreciated that the proposed work will cause some inconvenience, and all involved will do all that they reasonably can to keep this to a minimum.”