A £400k major maintenance scheme on the M3 Lagan Bridge is to
recommence on Friday 1 August 2025.
Last summer 10 bridge bearings were replaced and a further 8 are
now scheduled to be replaced over two weekends in August from
Friday 1 August to Mon 4 August and Friday 15 August to Monday18
August.
The first weekend road closure will be on the eastbound
carriageway from 9pm on Friday 1 August 2025 until 6am on Monday
4 August 2025. During this time the M3 will be closed
between M2 Foreshore to Dee Street and there will be no access to
the bridge from the M2, with all traffic leaving at Nelson Street
Off Slip. There will also be no access to M3 bridge from Nelson
Street on-slip during this period.
The second weekend road closure will be on the westbound
carriageway from 9pm on Friday 15 August 2025 until 6am on Monday
18 August 2025. During this time the M3 will be closed from
Bridge End to M2 Foreshore and there will be no access to the
bridge from the A2 Sydenham Bypass with all traffic leaving at
Bridge End Flyover. There will also be no access to M3 bridge
from Middlepath Street on-slip during this period.
Minister Kimmins said: “The M3 bridge is a key structure
which carries over 90,000 vehicles and these
improvement works are essential to ensure that the
structure remains in a sound condition to manage current and
future traffic levels along this key route.
“These are specialist works which I recognise may cause
some disruption to traffic, however this short term inconvenience
will help ensure the safety of the travelling public and avoid
more disruptive works to the bridge in the long term.
“I would like to thank the travelling public for their
patience and cooperation while these important bridge maintenance
works are completed.”
While the Department has carefully planned these road works and
associated traffic management arrangements in order to minimise
inconvenience to the public, delays are inevitable and road users
are advised to allow extra time for their journey particularly if
travelling to the ports or airports.
Diversionary routes will be clearly signed on the approaches to
the closure and road users are requested to abide by the
temporary traffic management arrangements which are in place for
the safety of the public and road workers.
All work is subject to favourable weather conditions.
For traffic information about this and other improvement schemes
visit: www.trafficwatchni.com
Notes to editors:
- The work will be carried out by Highway Management (City)
Ltd, as part of their Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO)
contract and the main contractor for the works is Ekspan Ltd.
- 10 bearings were replaced in summer 2024 at a cost of £700k.
It is planned to replace more bearings in summer 2026.
