Scheduled maintenance and overnight restrictions will commence on the M48 Severn Bridge and the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge this week, with both crossings experiencing traffic management measures through to October 23.
The works programme encompasses lane limitations during daylight hours alongside complete overnight shutdowns across the period spanning October 16 to 23, impacting travellers in both directions.
National Highways has acknowledged tardiness in disseminating details regarding the engineering operations and indicated that scheduling modifications were implemented after receiving input from motorists using the routes.
According to the highways authority, the current phase involves establishing the infrastructure required for the interim arrangement permitting heavy goods vehicles to resume travelling across the M48 Severn Bridge.
This comprises constructing concrete bases and conduits for signal equipment, automatic licence plate reading technology, and sensors measuring vehicle mass to safeguard the structure.
These restrictions form part of a sustained improvement initiative intended to ultimately permit vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes to traverse the M48 Severn Bridge again.
Additional routine upkeep will be undertaken concurrently with the specialised installation work.
Continuous hard shoulder restrictions will operate in both carriageways of the M48 Severn Bridge from October 16 through October 22.
During daytime hours from October 19 to October 23, lane restrictions will apply on the M48 Severn Bridge, with westbound traffic subject to limitations between 5am and 3pm, while eastbound movement will be controlled from 9:30am until 6pm.
Full overnight shutdowns are planned for the eastbound lanes on October 20 and October 21, affecting the section between the M4 at junction 23 near Magor and the M48 at junction 1.
These closures will run from 9pm through to 6am the following morning, with traffic redirected along the M5 at junction 16.
The exiting slip road from the M48 westbound carriageway at junction 1 will also be unavailable during this window.
The westbound direction of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge will face overnight closure between junction 21 and junction 23 between 10pm and 6am, with vehicles redirected via the M48 route.
On the M48 Severn Bridge itself, the westbound lanes will be closed overnight on October 22 and October 23 between junctions 1 and 2, operating from 9pm until 6am.
An alternative route via the M4 will be provided for affected motorists.
Those planning journeys are encouraged to verify current traffic conditions prior to departure to minimise inconvenience from the ongoing works.