Avonmouth Bridge turns 50

The Avonmouth Bridge turns 50 this week.

National Highways say welding work on the underside of the bridge has started as part of maintenance work to keep it in good shape for years to come. This is the latest phase of the significant amount of unseen work that has gone into maintaining the bridge over the past five decades.

Opening on the 24th of May 1974, the bridge carries around 125,000 vehicles every day. It was strengthened and widened to eight lanes between 1996 and 2001. The structure is 0.9 of a mile in total length, 40 metres wide with a ground clearance of 30.5 metres and is made of reinforced concrete and steel.

Terry Robinson, National Highways’ South West Engineering Team Leader, said: “We have a robust inspection regime and examine all our bridges and other structures in line with the published guidance in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

“This includes general visual inspection every two years and more detailed principal inspection every six years, which identifies and records defects in reinforced concrete, steelwork and other construction materials, although structures such as the Avonmouth Bridge have more bespoke regimes, requiring a dedicated team to look after them.

“Through a programme of structural inspections, investigations and assessments we ensure that substandard and potentially vulnerable structures are identified, safeguarding measures adopted, and like the Avonmouth Bridge and Wynhol Viaduct, fully maintained for many years to come.”

Paula Hewitt, Chair of the South West Infrastructure Partnership, said: “The Avonmouth Bridge is not only an iconic piece of infrastructure but is so important for connectivity in the South West.

“Looking after our critical infrastructure to ensure it can meet the future needs of the region is essential and it is great to see National Highways investing in the bridge’s maintenance to ensure it is able to meet our future needs.”

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