Island Roads is preparing to carry out major essential structural works for Medina Way Bridge in Newport from September.
The project will involve replacing all 16 existing bridge bearings and the installation of two additional bearings. Bearings are critical elements that sit between the bridge deck and the supporting infrastructure, allowing the structure to safely expand, contract and move under traffic and temperature changes.
The scheme has been developed over the last two years following detailed inspections and assessments undertaken by specialist bridge engineers. During that time, Island Roads has worked alongside other industry experts to develop a safe way of replacing the bearings while maintaining traffic movement on the Island’s busiest route.
Project Manager Luke Ward said: “Medina Way Bridge is the largest highway bridge structure managed by Island Roads and replacing the bearings is a highly complex engineering operation.
“The bridge supports around 28,500 traffic movements daily and, unlike many maintenance activities, these works require the bridge deck to be temporarily lifted and supported on specialist jacking systems while the existing bearings are removed and replaced.”
The project is programmed to begin on 28th September 2026 and continue for approximately six months, with a planned break over the Christmas and New Year period.
To minimise disruption, the works have been scheduled outside the peak tourism season.
The most significant impact on road users will be temporary lane closures on Medina Way whilst the bridge is supported on temporary jacks. These closures are needed because detailed structural assessments show that, during the temporary stage when a bridge deck is lifted from its bearings, the structure cannot safely accommodate the traffic loadings it would normally carry.
As a result, one lane will be closed for approximately five weeks on each carriageway at separate times. Importantly, the northbound and southbound lane closures will not operate at the same time. One carriageway will remain unrestricted whilst works are undertaken on the other bridge deck.
The southbound lane closure is currently expected to take place from mid-November with the northbound lane closure taking place after the Christmas and New Year break, currently planned for mid-January.
Luke added: “We fully appreciate that reducing Medina Way to a single lane in one direction will cause delays and disruption. However, these restrictions are a direct consequence of the temporary structural limitations that exist while the bridge is supported on jacks and the bearings are being replaced.
“We have carefully considered alternative options, but there is no reasonably practicable way of carrying out these works safely without implementing temporary lane closures.”
Jacking operations will be undertaken during phased nighttime closures. Other phased nighttime closures will be required to enable other works such as localised resurfacing and movement joint installation.
We will keep the community informed before, during and after the work.
For further information visit the dedicated scheme page via www.islandroads.com