THE MAJOR scheme to dual the A4440 Southern Link Road is set to take another step forward next week.
The newly constructed extension of the Carrington Bridge will be open for the first time ever to traffic from Monday (May 17).
Vehicles will be using this new part of the bridge over the River Severn and the new carriageway along Temeside Way to enable improvement works to be made to the existing carriageway.
The steel for Carrington Bridge was lifted into place, late in 2020, and since then works have taken place on the bridge decking and surfacing to enable the upcoming switchover of traffic.
Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council Highways said: “The new part of Carrington Bridge being open for traffic is huge milestone in this major scheme, we’re delivering to dual from M5 to Powick Roundabout.
“Whilst there is still more to be done on the fourth and final phase of our scheme, this marks a big step forward. With traffic being diverted onto the new bridge extension, it will enable us to concentrate works on the existing bridge and carriageway to improve the surface and the make the foot and cycle way much wider.”
To allow the switchover of traffic to take place onto the new carriageway, there will be a closure in place on Temeside Way, in both directions, from 9pm tonight (Friday) to 5.30am on Monday. A diversion will be in place and clearly signed during the closure.
As part of the switchover, there will be a reconfiguration of the traffic entering and exiting both the Ketch and Powick roundabouts, which may cause some disruption.
The foot/cycleway alongside Temeside Way will close and will remain closed until the completion of the scheme, to allow widening works to take place. A diversion will be in place, via Diglis Bridge and signage is already in place for cyclists and pedestrians ahead of the closure.
Works are also set to continue into the summer on the Ketch and Powick roundabouts, as well as a range of footway and carriageway resurfacing works.
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/slr for more.
