Update on Tamar Bridge Resurfacing Works – 15th April 2021

The planned start of work on resurfacing the Tamar Bridge has been postponed for at least a week to enable the contractor VolkerLaser to complete their on-site preparations. This means that the South and North Cantilevers, and all three lanes on the main deck, will continue to be open to traffic.

The postponement in the start of works means that the introduction of the shuttle bus services will also be postponed.

The situation will be reviewed by the contractor and Tamar Crossings next week before agreeing when the implementation of the traffic management restrictions will begin. Details of the new start date will be provided as soon as it has been confirmed.

Resurfacing the steel bridge deck involves a series of highly complex procedures. These include first removing the majority of the existing surface material using a road planer. A paint ‘primer’ is then applied to the deck followed by a two layer water proofing system to provide vital corrosion protection to the steel deck plates. Two thin layers of the surfacing material are then applied before the final process of laying the road markings and installing the replacement illuminated road stud system is carried out.

As these processes follow on from each other it is essential for all the preparations to be completed before the start of work on the deck.

The postponement will not affect the date for completing the scheme in September.