10:39am Wednesday 10th February 2010
By Gazette Reporter
The M4 will be closed overnight next weekend, February 20 and 21 between Junctions 16 and 17 to allow contractors to demolish Summerlands overbridge near Chippenham.
The demolition will be carried out between 7pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
The motorway will be closed in both directions and traffic diverted.
The existing concrete bridge is reaching the end of its working life and will be replaced in May. Narrow lanes and 50 mph speed limit will remain in place until the new bridge is installed.
Highways Agency project manager Dave Frampton said: “The existing structure is one of several bridges built in the early 1970s which need to be replaced as they are reaching the end of the working lives.
“Although we are fully closing the M4, we’re doing it at a time when traffic flows are lower, so that we limit any delays for road users.
“Following the demolition construction work on the replacement bridge will start.”
During the overnight closures, traffic will be diverted as follows: Light vehicles will use the A429 and the B4042 between J16 and J17 via Malmesbury.
Heavy vehicles will use the A3102, A4 and A350 between J16 and J17 (via Calne and Chippenham).
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