A303 closure to remove bridge
The A303 will be closed between the Hazlegrove and Podimore roundabouts from 10pm on Friday, 11 November, to 5am on Monday, 14 November. On an average day, the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester carries 23,500 vehicles. So you can expect disruption not just on the A303 but on the roads around it as traffic finds alternative routes.
The closure is to remove a temporary bridge erected over the A303. This was intended to minimise the impact of construction on motorists and residents. The bridge was first installed in May. It enabled construction traffic to transport earth from one side of the site to the other with minimal impact to motorists using the A303.
The bridge has been place for 30 weeks. By the time of its removal, 900,000 tonnes of earth have been moved across it. This marks the end of the first major stage of construction on A303 Sparkford to Ilchester scheme.
Over the next few months, the team will be working on the two key structures of the scheme:
- the Steart Hill bridge and
- the Hazlegrove underbridge
Steart Hill bridge is set to open to the public in the spring next year.