SEVERAL upcoming overnight closures have been announced for the A31 at Ringwood as completion of the major bridge replacement project draws nearer.

Crews from National Highways have recently finished concrete surfacing and waterproofing the newly installed bridge over the River Avon and are in the final stages of connecting it fully to the A31.

Earthworks around the bridge deck supports are ongoing, while surfacing and barrier installation work is also taking place on the A31 to the west of the bridges.

Waterproofing is continuing meanwhile on the nearby Bickerley Millstream bridge replacement.

Bournemouth Echo: Recent resurfacing work on the A31 at Ringwood. Picture: Tony ThompsonRecent resurfacing work on the A31 at Ringwood. Picture: Tony Thompson (Image: Tony Thompson)

From 6am on Monday, October 24, National Highways will be moving A31 westbound traffic back onto two lanes of the westbound carriageway. This will enable crews to carry out essential kerb, drainage and barrier installation in the central reservation.

To do this, the A31 will need to be closed overnight several times between 8pm and 6am with signed diversion routes. The October overnight closure dates are as follows:

  • Friday October 21 and Saturday 22 – full A31 westbound closure between M27 Junction 1 at Cadnam and the A338 Ashley Heath Roundabout overnight
  • Sunday October 23 – full A31 eastbound closure between the A338 Ashley Heath Roundabout and M27 Junction 1 at Cadnam
  • Monday October 24 to Friday 28 – Ringwood Flyover east and westbound closure (traffic will be diverted off and on again at the Ringwood junction)

Bournemouth Echo: Works on A31 at Ringwood as seen on September 21, 2022. Picture: National HighwaysWorks on A31 at Ringwood as seen on September 21, 2022. Picture: National Highways (Image: National Highways)

National Highways also said the Ringwood A31 westbound entry slip just off the B3347 Mansfield Road will be used overnight only as part of the off and on again diversion, and that it will be closed again until completion of the works.

The daytime closure of the slip has been required to allow crews safe access to the work site.

The government company also said it would require “a number of overnight closures of the A31 at the completion of the scheme in November” and that these dates would be advertised when confirmed.

Once finished, the £30m A31 scheme will see a third lane added to the westbound carriageway providing additional capacity and safer access points from Ringwood.