Lytchett Matravers roadworksOn Monday 16 January Dorset Highways will start work on the A35 Upton Bypass to build four bridge protection barriers.

At the moment the piers (legs) of the A350 overbridges and Brickworks Bridge are vulnerable to severe damage if a large vehicle on the Upton Bypass were to hit them, so Dorset Highways plan to replace the existing steel barriers with higher concrete ones.

It will take around 16 weeks to complete the work, which includes:

  • building four bridge protection barriers
  • widening both carriageways under the A350 overbridges
  • improving drainage on the eastbound carriageway
  • replacing some of the A350 overbridge ‘coping units’ (this is a small ledge that hangs over the A35 which carries rain water away from the structure of the bridge to protect it from water damage).

Users of the bypass should plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys along the Upton Bypass from 16 January as the dual carriageway will be largely reduced to one lane in each direction.

There will also be a temporary 30mph speed limit on A35 eastbound – between Baker’s Arms Roundabout and the junction for the Upton Country Park – and on the A35 westbound – from the Upton Country Park slip road until after the roadworks area.

More information can be found on the project web pages.

A35 Upton Bypass works – January 2017
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