A5127 Aston Bridge emergency closure
Road users are being advised that Aston Bridge, which carries out-of-city traffic from Dartmouth Circus over Aston Expressway and onto Lichfield Road northbound, is expected to remain closed to traffic until August 2015 while essential design and repair works are carried out.
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The closure was put in place in September 2014 by Amey, Birmingham City Council’s highways partner, following a vehicle striking the underside of the bridge which caused significant structural damage, making the bridge unsafe to carry traffic.
Birmingham City Council and Amey Engineers have been working towards a technical solution so the bridge can safely be reopened. This has included carrying out initial surveys, temporary works to make the structure safe and a range of structural assessments and repair options. Due to the complex nature of this box girder structure this inevitably required time to consider.  Detailed design work has commenced and subject to final design approvals, construction work will start in May 2015 and is expected to last approximately 3 months.
Plans are in place for improvement works to ease traffic flow along the temporary diversion route via Thomas Street. These works are scheduled to commence this week.
Eddie Fellows, Network Manager from Amey, said: “We understand the inconvenience that this emergency closure is causing and are doing all we can to get the road opened as early as possible. We are working closely with the City Council and other local stakeholders to ensure we coordinate with other developments affecting traffic around the city and help mitigate the risk of disruption during these works.â€
Councillor Tahir Ali, Cabinet Member for Development, Transport and the Economy, said: “While we understand the closure of the Aston Bridge is not ideal, safety has to be our number one priority. The closure has been factored into the wider traffic planning with other major road works across the city. We are continually monitoring the traffic in the area and working closely with our partners Amey to help put measures in place to mitigate any disruption.
“More broadly, this is an important time for Birmingham in terms of development and improvements to our infrastructure. While the various works across the city are ongoing, people are being encouraged to use public transport or other sustainable means when visiting the city.â€
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Media contact:
Amey press office on 01865 713240, email [email protected]
