A replacement footbridge is set to be installed at Michaelwood Services off the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
National Highways has announced the M5 will be fully closed overnight in both directions between junctions 13 and 14 from 8pm on Saturday, June 25 as the new bridge is lifted into place.
The previous 40-year-old bridge, which spanned the southbound and northbound areas of the services site at Lower Wick near Dursley, was closed to pedestrians in 2018 due to safety concerns and later dismantled in 2020.
Preparatory work has been ongoing since February as part of a £3.2m replacement project, with the new bridge and fittings to be installed between June 25 and Monday, July 4.
A 230-tonne crane will be used to slot the new 200ft (61-metre) footbridge in place.
National Highways said diversions will be in place via the A419 and A38 Bristol Road, and advised drivers to allow extra time for their journeys while the work is carried out.
Once the main bridge is installed, contractors MJ Church and King Lifting will use two 200-tonne cranes to lift the ramps and stairs into place under overnight closures during the following week.
The southbound carriageway will also be closed overnight on Sunday, June 26 (8pm to 6am), Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4.
The northbound carriageway will be closed for overnight work on Monday, 27 June, Tuesday, 28 June and Thursday, 30 June.
Adrian Simon, National Highways’ project manager, said: “We appreciate the closure will have an effect on journey times, and we appreciate roadworks are frustrating but we are carrying out this essential work under a number of overnight closures to minimise disruption.
“Once the main deck has been installed on the first night, we are putting a number of directional closures in place for safety reasons while we carry out the installation of ramps, stairs and other work, and we thank all drivers in advance for their cooperation and patience.”
Once the bridge has been lifted into place, finishing works will continue until August, including the completion of furnishing and fittings and landscaping.
Like this story? Why not sign up to get the latest South West business news straight to your inbox.
