WORK to prepare part of the A338 Wessex Way for future repairs is set to cause traffic delays in Bournemouth.
BCP Council has unearthed an issue with the expansion joints on the Braidley Road overbridge, between Richmond Hill and Bournemouth West roundabouts.
The main road will be reduced to one lane in both directions for three weeks from Monday, November 14, to assist in the delivery of future maintenance.
There will be a reduction in the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph while this work takes place.
The Richmond Hill slip road onto the eastbound Wessex Way will be closed throughout the three weeks.
Traffic wanting to join the eastbound Wessex Way will be diverted westbound from Richmond Hill to Bournemouth West roundabout, where drivers can do a U-turn and join vehicles heading east.
The work involves the installation of two crossover points through the central reservation to allow traffic to drive across a smooth surface and be switched onto the other carriageway when the overbridge maintenance takes place.
The council has said that planned future maintenance of the overbridge will then be able to take place without having to close off traffic completely in either direction.
Julian McLaughlin, BCP Council’s service director for transport and engineering, said: “The Wessex Way opened in 1970 and is one of the main arterial routes linking our three towns. We need to make sure it is properly maintained and remains safe for years to come.
“Following recent inspections, we’ve identified the need to replace the expansion joints together with other maintenance works on the Braidley Road overbridge. To be able to do this safely and keep the road open, we need to install two crossover points.’
“We appreciate that this will lead to some disruption to journeys and would therefore advise people to avoid travelling at peak times, use alternative routes or consider walking and cycling where possible.’’
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