The big picture: National Highways closed one lane of the westbound carriageway on Friday after finding a potential defect during a routine inspection. The closure has caused severe delays, especially during peak times.
Why it matters: The Orwell Bridge is a crucial link for traffic in and around Ipswich. Its partial closure affects thousands of drivers daily and impacts local bus services.
Key details:
The lane closure is in place to reduce the risk of further damage that could lead to a full carriageway closure.
Preparatory works are programmed to commence this week.
The next stage involves replacing the necessary components of the bridge structure.
What's next: National Highways aims to rectify the defect and reopen the closed lane as soon as possible, but the operation is expected to take a couple of weeks.
The bottom line: Drivers should expect continued delays and plan their journeys accordingly until the lane reopens.
