MOTORISTS will face 50mph speed limits on a major motorway for the next three years with more than 100,000 drivers affected daily.
The speed limit and other closures will be in place while essential works are carried out along a stretch of the motorway.
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A stretch of the M5 will be undergoing road closures and imposing a 50mph speed limit for the next three years Credit: National Highways
Works have already started on the bridge and surrounding area Credit: National Highways
As part of a £50 million investment to repair and strengthen St Georges Bridge, a series of road closures and speed limits will be introduced along a stretch of the M5.
The bridge, which carries the M5 over the railway line near junction 21 for Weston-Super-Mare, and the surrounding area will undergo a series of essential works, including lifting the bridge 72 times while bearings underneath the structure are replaced.
During the repairs, only three lanes of traffic will remain open in both directions, operating with a contraflow system and 50mph speed limit, expected to be in place from autumn 2026 until late 2029.
With around 100,000 motorists using the motorway daily, these closures will mean drivers can still use the road while work is carried out safely.
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Train services underneath the bridge will continue to run whilst the work is carried out.
Engineering lead for National Highways, Terry Robinson, said: “The St Georges Bridge is very heavily used and is now in need of significant work, which is vital to keep drivers safe and the route running in the future.
“We appreciate this complex scheme may cause some delays in the area and we’re advising road users to allow extra time for journeys, especially during peak hours.”
He added that the project is vital to ensure the roads remain fit for purpose, having been built around 60 years ago.
The next phase of work will focus on void filling and resurfacing the road.
The schedule of work is part of the Government’s £27 billion five-year Road Investment Strategy, which has allocated £8.4 billion for resurfacing carriageways and renewing bridges between 2026 and 2031.
Engineers will also focus on concrete repairs, replacing the road surface, repainting steel beams and waterproofing.
The programme of work also includes improving the northbound entry slip, improving drainage and installing new barriers on both sides of the bridge.
National Highways has said that the essential works are vital for “maintaining and improving safety” for motorists who use the road.
“The refurbished bridge will last longer and reduce the need for maintenance and repairs over the decade to come,” it added.
The next set of overnight closures begins today, June 1, while work is carried out on reinforcing the ground surrounding the bridge.
While the essential works take place, National Highways has said that they will be carrying out lane closures and slip road closures overnight from Monday to Friday, 10pm to 6am.
Southbound lane closures will take place between June 1 and June 26 and from July 21 and July 24.
Northbound lane closures will occur between June 15 and July 24.
The Southbound M5 J21 exit slip road will be closed between June 1 and June 19, and the northbound entry slip will shut from June 15 and July 20.
Motorists have been urged to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time for any delays that may occur.
