Transport
A38 Berkeley Bridge
Gloucestershire County Council
Growth Deal
£1,990,000
Summary
The A38 Berkeley Bridge project was an important maintenance and replacement programme, for a key piece of degrading infrastructure in the area. The bridge supported a busy traffic route in Berkeley, and was in need of immediate work.
What is the A38 Berkeley Bridge project?
The Berkeley Bridge is the northernmost of a pair of bridges on the A38, a busy road connecting Berkeley, Dursley, Cam, and other local towns and villages. The bridge had fallen into a state of disrepair, and its poor structural integrity posed a risk of future failure and major disruption to traffic in the area.
A replacement of the bridge was proposed, with the same dimensions, capacity, and traffic capacity. The only alternative to replacement was to install shuttle traffic signals on the southbound bridge, which would allow alternate northbound and southbound travel on the remaining single carriageway. The traffic demands of this route made this option impractical, and so the replacement project was approved.
Who benefits from this project?
Any residents of the local area, employees at local businesses, and commuters using this route have benefitted from the replacement bridge. If alternative provisions were made, or the bridge had become untenable for use, there would have been significantly longer journey times and driver delays. This would have had a domino effect on the viability of new businesses locating into the area, and local infrastructure coping with diverted traffic.
With the construction of the new bridge, using more modern technologies and materials, the status quo has been preserved for many years to come.
What stage is the project currently at?
The project is now complete, and the new bridge opened to traffic in 2017.
Why is the project important to Gloucestershire and the local community?
Proposed development growth at Berkeley and Sharpness Docks can now proceed with more confidence and viability. Both areas were earmarked for residential and employment projects, and the A38 Berkeley Bridge represents one of the key routes into and out of these areas.
Without the A38 access, these programmes may now have gone ahead, and the area would have lost vital new plans for more homes and more jobs.
Existing homes and jobs are now also better served, with a much more futureproof route established with the new A38 Berkeley Bridge.
What are the final results of the project?
The A38 Berkeley Bridge has been fully replaced, using more modern technologies and material, and has reopened to support the same traffic flow as before.
Where can I find out more?
Business case
https://www.gfirstlep.com/downloads/projects/full-business-cases/a38-berkeley-bridge.pdf