A major project to repair and improve a bridge in Great Barr will begin next week.

The £3.37m project on Scott Bridge, Newton Road, will begin from Monday 17 May and will last 43 weeks.

This major scheme will involve lane closures on the dual carriageway near Monksfield Avenue and traffic management throughout the project, which should be completed in March 2022.

The work is being funded by £2.999m from the Department for Transport Bridges Challenge Fund and £371,000 from Sandwell Council.

The scheme will involve repairs to the bridge deck and structure, waterproofing, new road surfacing and white lines. The bridge parapets will also be upgraded.

During the work there will be lane closures and crossover points installed in the central reservation to allow one side of the bridge to be closed at a time. A compound for workers will also be created.

The need for the work was identified during routine bridge inspections. The bridge, which takes the Newton Road over the Tame Valley Canal, last underwent major repairs around 30 years ago.

Traffic management, including signs, lane closures and a contraflow system will be installed throughout the project to guide vehicles safely through the roadworks.

Sandwell Council has said some delays and disruption will be inevitable during the work. Advance warning signs and notifications will be placed along key routes to reduce the volume of traffic and keep disruption to a minimum.

The project is being carried out by R&C Williams Ltd. Letters detailing the works have been sent to local residents.

The temporary traffic measures are scheduled to start in mid May and continue with the lane crossovers in mid August where they will remain for 20 weeks until completion of the works in March 2022.

The work will involve the following lane closures and contraflows. Access to properties along the route will be maintained at all times:

* Road closure in both directions while work is done on the central reservation to allow traffic to crossover lanes – for approximately four weeks from start of the work in mid May

* Single lane closure in the direction of Scott Arms (eastbound) – for approximately ten weeks from mid June

* Contraflow with westbound carriageway closed – for approximately ten weeks from mid August

* Contraflow with eastbound carriageway closed – for approximately ten weeks from late October

* Single lane closure in the direction of Scott Arms (eastbound) – for approximately six weeks from January 2022

* Lane closures in both directions to reinstate the central reservation – for approximately three weeks from early March 2022 to the completion of project in late March 2022.

Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “This is a major piece of work to make vital repairs to the bridge and we apologise for any inconvenience it may cause to residents and drivers.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport Councillor Jackie Taylor said: “We’ll be working closely with the contractor to monitor the work and keep any disruption to an absolute minimum.

“I am delighted that this major work is finally taking place; our bridges need to be safe as well as our roads. I understand that there will be some frustration during this time.

“I would encourage you all to give yourselves extra time for travelling of consider different modes of transport for your journey.”

For updates on the project please see www.sandwell.gov.uk/scottbridge.
See Sandwell Council’s TravelWise page for info on greener modes of transport.