Third Menai crossing on cards for 2027 start
A report from the Welsh Government inks in the £400m infrastructure project as one of its pipeline schemes for the coming years.
The Wales Infrastructure Investment Strategy – Project Pipeline report was published yesterday by the Welsh Government, and sets out a strategic framework for investment across environmental, social, economic and cultural projects.
Within this, the £400m A55 Third Menai Crossing project, which is to be wholly funded by the WG, is included, with a projected start date of 2027 with the aim of completing in 2029/30.
Rebecca Evans MS, minister for finance and local government, said in the report’s ministerial foreword that “despite challenges, we remain committed to the ambitions set out in the WIIS”.
The Menai project was one of 55 highway projects paused in summer 2021 by the WG’s climate change ministry for reassessment in the wake of falling capital budgets and a greater focus on sustainability and economic criteria. Although the verdict on which projects have survived has not yet been given, the bridge scheme’s inclusion here suggests it is still a priority.
A third way across the Menai Straits, linking Anglesey and the Welsh mainland, has been under official discussion for some years, with a full consultation being undertaken in early 2018.
Capacity has long been an issue, with the Britannia Bridge being the only section of the A55 that is single carriageway; and the historic, but height- and width-restricted A5 Menai Bridge being the only other option.
The Thomas Telford-designed bridge is currently closed for essential maintenance. In September, Spencer Group secured a series of contracts for refurbishment works ahead of the bridge’s 200th birthday in 2026.
With options prepared by a professional team led by Aecom and Richards, respondents to the 2018 consultation were given various options for a new crossing, including the widening of Britannia Bridge and the possibility of both that bridge and the new bridge each being one-way.
The most popular, and the one taken forward as the preferred option, was for a new four-lane bridge east of the Britannia Bridge.
The new bridge would carry all through-traffic in each direction, with the existing bridge being reconfigured for local traffic and pedestrians and cyclists – the accommodating of active travel being one of the main reasons for a four-lane option being preferred.
Related Articles
Analysis - The Subplot
The Subplot | Who is driving Northern transport policy?
Is it government? The city region mayors? Transport for the North? We dig into why regional transport policy is plagued by inertia. Plus: Have any of the government’s regeneration programmes been effective?
I am a Beaumaris resident. A third bridge is not required except in the summer when typically the authorities are undertaking other work on the A55 making it all dreadful so better planning required . A third bridge on the east side of the existing Telford Bridge would help destroy Menai & all views looking south from Bangor / Menai Straight. why no place 2 cantilevered roadways either side of the Britannia Bridge. Less unsightly & most likely far cheaper & disruptive .
By Laurie Beevers
Would really like the Welsh Government also to improve rail links into Liverpool as the impetus seems to have been lost over the last few years, the re-introduction of the Halton Curve was meant to kick-start things but train services to the North Wales coast have not materialised, as this would benefit many families and relatives who travel to the area.
Frustrating, for example, when you look at places along the Basque coast, where electric, modern trains worm their way through hills and valleys , serving scores of settlements , while we are left years behind.
By Anonymous
At last.!!!!!!
By Anonymous
About time
By Wiv
There’s noway on earth that job can be done for £400 million…just turning 20 miles of an exsisting hard shoulder to smart motorway on the M6 in Cheshire cost over £300 million
By Lionheart
What we need is a cheap pontoon bridge fir light vehicles
By Itchy
How is this necessary? The current bridge is wide enough for 3 lanes so have a middle lane that is used during rush hour off the island in the mornings and onto the island in the evenings. Total waste of money not to mention the disruption
By Anonymous
Get it done!
By Levelling Up Manager