Is the orwell bridge shut

We've carried out upgrades to the Orwell Bridge in Ipswich. Inwe installed new electronic signs showing changeable speed limits so that traffic can travel over the bridge at lower speeds safely even during high winds, meaning that we keep the bridge open is the orwell bridge shut often during storms. Duringwe are carrying out bridge inspections as part of our usual six-year maintenance procedures.

The A14 between the Copdock Interchange and the Nacton Interchange is closed due to a police incident. A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said all of the slip roads onto the A14 between junction 55 and junction 58 are also closed. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. Please report any comments that break our rules. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience — the local community.

Is the orwell bridge shut

The main span is metres which, at the time of its construction, was the longest pre-stressed concrete span in use. The total length is 1, metres from Wherstead to the site of the former Ipswich Airport. The width is 24 metres with an air draft of 43 metres. Pilings were sunk 40 metres into the river bottom. The main contractor was Stevin Construction B. Construction of the bridge commenced in October and was completed in December The main span was constructed by using a balanced cantilever technique, casting sections on alternating sides of the pier in a weekly cycle. It was previously closed to all traffic if there were gusts of wind of 50mph or more in certain directions, or gusts of 60mph or higher, regardless of wind direction. From 25 January , we made changes to the bridge to allow it to remain open more frequently during high winds, following extensive safety testing. Now a new 40mph driving speed limit has been imposed and is used if there are wind speeds forecast of over 45mph. If wind speeds of 60mph or more are predicted, then the bridge is closed due to the safety risk to motorists. The 60mph driver speed limit remains in place on the bridge during low winds. You can read more about our changes on our Orwell Bridge speed limits project page. View the latest Orwell Bridge closure protocol document. View the previous Orwell Bridge closure protocol document.

This is an ongoing story with more updates to come. Modal headline Close.

National Highways closed the bridge at midday and it is due to remain shut until midday on Monday. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds up to 70mph and has warned some buildings could suffer damage, with injuries and danger to life from possible flying debris. The decision to close the bridge at 12pm has been taken to allow road users to plan alternative routes and for National Highways to safely install the closure and diversions ahead of the predicted high winds. The eastbound diversion will take traffic from the A14 at junction 55 Copdock Mill onto the A through Ipswich before taking the second exit at Woodbridge Road roundabout onto the A to Felixstowe Road. This continues onto the A before re-joining the eastbound A14 and junction 58 for Levington. Martin Fellows, National Highways regional director for the East, said: "We understand the inconvenience the closure of the Orwell Bridge causes across the region, but our priority will always be public safety.

National Highways said "safety preparations" had begun and advised drivers to plan alternative routes. The bridge is expected to close at midday on Sunday to allow National Highways to "safely install the closure and diversions". During the closure, the A14 will be shut between junction 55 at Copdock Mill and junction 58 at Levington, with diversions taking motorists along the A, A and A through Ipswich town centre. Martin Fellows, National Highways regional director for the East of England, added: "We understand the inconvenience the closure of Orwell Bridge causes across the region, but our priority will always be public safety. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews bbc. Orwell Bridge closure leads to renewed bypass calls. Abseiling survey captures Orwell Bridge images. Speed control signs in place on wind-closure bridge.

Is the orwell bridge shut

The A14 Orwell Bridge in Ipswich is closed in both directions this afternoon due to a police incident. Suffolk Police has confirmed that A14 is closed between Nacton and Wherstead slip roads junctions 56 and Make sure you are following SuffolkLive on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to ensure you stay up to date with the latest travel news in Suffolk. A police incident closed the A14 Orwell Bridge in both directions this afternoon for roughly an hour-and-a-half.

Stickam sister

The aerodynamic study concluded that the current wind limit of 60mph for closing the bridge is correct for safety, but that reducing the traffic speed limit down from 60mph during high winds means that the bridge can remain safely open when the wind is at certain speeds. Construction of the bridge commenced in October and was completed in December It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Except on Wednesday 29 November when the closures will be delayed until 10pm as Ipswich Town are playing at home that night. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. This is in line with best practice, and is based on studies of lorries overturning in strong winds. The findings were theoretical and needed to be validated using a wind tunnel. Comments: Our rules We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The high winds we are expecting mean it would be unsafe to try and operate the bridge under those conditions. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience — the local community. The main span is metres which, at the time of its construction, was the longest pre-stressed concrete span in use. The maximum speed limit shown will be lower when it is windy. Deactivate Piano meter debugger. Diversion route During the westbound closure, traffic from A14 J58 will be sent up the A12 to the A roundabout, then west along the whole A over the top of Ipswich, down to A14 J This will allow traffic to still use the bridge even during strong winds.

The A14 between the Copdock Interchange and the Nacton Interchange is closed due to a police incident. A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said all of the slip roads onto the A14 between junction 55 and junction 58 are also closed.

The diversion for those travelling eastbound will take traffic off the A14 at J55 and onto A Colchester Road and the A12 ahead of re-joining the A14 at junction Met Office. Submit Cancel. Manage your cookie preferences to view the content on this page. Enter the above word in the box below. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience — the local community. We have installed new electronic signs on the bridge which display changeable driver speed limits. National Highways will monitor wind speeds throughout and the bridge could be reopened sooner if it is safe to do so. Due to the complexity of the repairs, specialist parts were needed which has meant the temporary speed restriction has remained in place for a number of weeks due to the damaged barrier. Enter the above word in the box below. The new electronic signs display a maximum driver speed limit of 60mph for winds speeds of up to 45mph, or a 40mph driver speed limit if wind speeds of between 45mph to 60mph are forecast.