Here is everything we need to know about the closures. 

When will the Orwell Bridge works take place?

National Highways has announced that the works will begin on Monday, June 16 and run through until August. 

Drivers were first informed of the works in April when National Highways described the project as “essential”. 

The work will be taking place in stages:

• From Monday, June 16, there will be overnight lane closures between 8pm and 6am.

• From Friday, June 20 to Thursday, June 26, there will be overnight carriageway closures between 8pm and 6am, including the weekend.

• From Monday, June 23, the eastbound carriageway towards Felixstowe will be reduced to one lane. Westbound will be unaffected.

• From Thursday, June 26 until August, both carriageways will have one lane open in each direction through contraflow roadworks.

Why is the work being carried out on the Orwell Bridge?

The work being carried out will see two bridge expansion joints removed and replaced on the westbound carriageway. 

Highways has made the decision to carry out the works over the summer to avoid high winds and avoid events such as the Suffolk Show, held at the end of May.

A look inside the Orwell Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

It comes after a routine inspection of the bridge last September highlighted that one of the westbound joints was in a “potentially unsafe condition”. 

The westbound carriageway was then closed for a temporary fix, which caused issues across Ipswich and gridlocked traffic. 

How will drivers be affected by the closure?

National Highways has said that the bridge will be kept open to traffic most of the time, with one lane of traffic in each direction in contraflow roadworks.

Lane closures will be in place on the Orwell Bridge during the seven weeks (Image: Newsquest)

However, some full closures will be needed, but these are expected to take place overnight.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “We’ll need some full overnight closures but will keep them to a minimum.

“While some delays are expected, the contraflow roadworks will let us complete work as safely and quickly as possible and minimise the disruption of diverting traffic through Ipswich.

“We’ll give you more information closer to the start of works.”

Will there be a diversion while the Orwell Bridge is closed?

When the bridge is closed National Highways is encouraging drivers to stay on the A14 for as long as possible, rather than divert onto less suitable routes through Ipswich. 

The work on the bridge has been described as essential by National Highways (Image: Newsquest)

A National Highways spokesman said: “While the A14 is closed overnight, drivers will be diverted using a clearly signed route between junction 58 and junction 55 via the A12 and A1214.

“Please be aware that these dates may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as poor weather, but we will keep you updated.”

Is it possible to speak to National Highways about the Orwell Bridge closures?

Yes. The team who are behind the works will be holding a number of public consultations over the coming weeks.

The team will have a stall at the Suffolk Show on Thursday.

Members of the public can also meet the team at Wherstead service station between 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday, June 4 and at two events on June 5.

These will both run between 11am and 3pm at the Buttermarket shopping centre in Ipswich town centre and at Epsilion House, on the Ransomes Industrial Estate.