09 July 2012
The Highways Agency has reviewed the traffic situation around the M4 Boston Manor Viaduct closure and has been able to introduce measures overnight (Sunday/Monday) to reopen the road between junctions 1 and 2.
The road which was closed on Friday evening for up to five days remains closed in both directions between junctions 2 and 3.
Drivers planning to travel into west London via the M4 tomorrow morning are still advised to seek alternative routes via the M3 or M40.
Londonbound traffic will be able to join the M4 at junction 2 and traffic heading out of London can stay on until junction 2, although there is a lane two closure in this direction. This is because there is no hard shoulder on the westbound M4 at this point and part of lane 2 is therefore required for signage to be installed in the central reservation to inform drivers about the closure which starts at junction 2. There are no weight restrictions between junctions 1 and 2.
This change is intended to relieve pressure on the junction 1 roundabout on the diversion route and in particular the Chiswick roundabout. However we are continually monitoring the situation and if this measure does not lead to the intended improvements we will again review it.
The main closure, which was implemented overnight on 6/7 July, is part of the ongoing repair work being carried out to the Boston Manor Viaduct, just west of M4 junction 2.
Drivers are being advised to keep up to date with traffic conditions and allow extra time for their journeys.
Since the closure began, the Highways Agency has deployed extra resources such as additional electronic message signs to help drivers.
The Agency took the decision to close the Boston Manor Viaduct because in entering the final stages of this complex work we found a further crack in a highly stressed zone over the bridge supports. This requires a unique repair solution, which we are progressing, which requires us to keep the viaduct closed until the repair is complete.
We expect the ongoing programme of repairs will be completed to enable the viaduct to operate in its full capacity in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games later this month.
The closure is a sensible precaution given the bridge's importance, both for people driving to and from west London and for the Games. The works are being carried out underneath the structure so the scale of the work is not visible from the M4 or from the local road network.
Signed local diversion routes are in place on the adjacent dual carriageways, the A312 and the A4
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