Contractor Winvic will have to replace all the new bridge joint bolts it fitted across the M62 Ouse Bridge in East Yorkshire after some broke.

Emergency repair work on the bridge – which was originally due to be completed in 2023 – faced long delays due to the complexity of replacing the structure’s obsolete joints, which dated back to the 1970s.

Work began on the bridge in 2022 after inspectors discovered eight joints had failed.

Officials then discovered increased vibration from traffic had also started to damage the concrete under one of the bridge’s six lanes.

It led to motorists facing more than two years of delays as carriageways were closed and speed restrictions put in place. The work was finally finished last October.

National Highways told Construction News that contractor Winvic – which was appointed to fix the bridge in September 2022 – will now replace bolts for all the bridge’s joints “as a precautionary measure”.

CN understands that, as the principal contractor, Winvic is responsible for replacing the bolts on the bridge, which straddles the River Ouse between Goole and Howden in East Yorkshire and serves the city of Hull.

Back in 2022, Winvic was contracted to carry out temporary and permanent works to make the bridge safe.

Initially, the contractor installed two sets of temporary metal bridging plates across parts of the eastbound carriageway, allowing part of the bridge to reopen.

It then fixed the two joints which were most damaged later on in the project, and said at the time it expected to complete the work by the autumn of 2023.

Four of the six lanes reopened in October 2024, but National Highways last week implemented an advisory speed limit of 40 miles per hour and closed lane three of the bridge at peak times.

One lane running westwards and the hard shoulder will now be closed while the work is being completed.

CN approached Winvic for comment.

The 1.6km reinforced concrete plate girder bridge was originally constructed between 1973 and 1976.