A weight restriction of 7.5 Tonnes will be introduced on Menai Suspension Bridge, ahead of essential maintenance work. This will have an impact on local bus services, which will be diverted over Britannia Bridge.
Specialist engineers have been carrying out detailed structural investigations on the historic crossing which spans the Menai Strait.
Traffic lights causing single lanes of traffic resulted in long queues at times particularly backing up into the Treborth area on the Bangor side of the bridge at busy times during the past few weeks, after the necessary work by the Welsh Government and UK Highways.
The 417m long bridge, which was designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1826, is a Grade One listed structure. It is famed as the world’s first major suspension bridge.
The new project includes replacing the hangers on the bridge, with the weight restriction being introduced from 5am on 2 June 2022.
The essential work is aimed at improving safety and to reduce the risk of unplanned closures.
The weight limit means that restricted vehicles will be diverted via Britannia Bridge.
Buses will be unable to use the bridge while the weight limit is in place. Gwynedd County Council and Anglesey County council will develop revised timetables and routes. Further information can be found at Traveline Cymru.
The existing lane closure and traffic lights will be removed once the weight limit is in place, but further lane closures will be needed during repair works and hanger replacement. These will be advertised closer to the time.
Ambulances and police vehicles will still be able to use the bridge, although Fire Engines will also be diverted as they weigh over 7.5T, the fire service have been informed and are building this into their operational plan.
