09 July 2012
Drivers planning to travel into west London via the M4 today and commuters planning to use the route tomorrow morning are reminded that the road is currently closed in both directions between junctions 1 and 3, and is expected to remain closed for up to four days.
Road users travelling into London are advised to seek alternative routes via the M3 or M40.
The 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.
The Highways Agency is constantly reviewing the traffic situation to see what more can be done; extra resources such as additional electronic message signs have been deployed to help drivers.
Drivers are being advised to keep up to date with traffic conditions and allow extra time for their journeys.
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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