Bridge to be resurfaced (From Western Telegraph)

Bridge to be resurfaced

FOR the first time in its near 30-year history, the road surface of the Cleddau Bridge is to be replaced.

Work is to begin shortly but Pembrokeshire County Council anticipates that two-way traffic will be maintained at all peak traffic times.

It is the latest phase in a £4 million improvement programme for the structure, which carries the A477 over the Milford Haven waterway.

On Monday - a week before the work is due to start - the council is hosting a meeting at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel in Pembroke Dock, starting at 6.30pm, to explain to the public what the contract involves.

The council's cabinet member for transportation and environment, Councillor Brian Hall, and Huw Roberts, the authority's transportation director, will be on hand to answer questions.

Cllr Hall said it was a good opportunity for the public to allay any concerns they might have about the work.

"We will be showing slides from other major bridge resurfacing schemes and interested parties can meet the design team and the contractor," said Cllr Hall. "It also gives the council the chance to publicise the procedures for contacting either the authority or the contractor if anyone has any concerns."

The 30-week contract involves the complete removal of the existing 38mm asphalt surfacing over the entire width of the deck, repairs to the steel plates and welds on the bridge deck, re-waterproofing and the laying of a new asphalt surface.

The lane configuration will be adjusted to provide three lanes in total - one each for north and south bound traffic, with a central lane for emergency use only. The extra width created by narrowing the carriageway will be used to increase the widths of the footways either side, and a cycleway will be provided on the western side.

The cycleway/footways and main vehicular running lanes will be separated by a new barrier.

Cllr Hall said it is anticipated that two-way traffic will be maintained at all peak times during the resurfacing work, although narrow lanes will be in use under extensive traffic management.

He went on: "Heavy goods vehicles will continue to be able to use the bridge, although control measures will be instigated to control the number of heavy goods vehicles on the structure at any one time. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times."

The construction activities will involve some noise, particularly during the removal of existing surfacing. Site working hours for noisy activities will be restricted to 8am to 6pm on Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The main box strengthening was carried out in 2002. Local contractor, Jenkins and Davies, undertook the £750,000 project, which involved the fixing of additional strengthening steelwork inside the boxes. The project was successfully completed on time and below budget in December.