The recently commenced work to link the M4 at junction 23A near Magor and Newport’s Queensway is expected to be completed early next year. The majority of the work on the new link – the Steelworks Access Road – will involve upgrading and reconstructing the existing dual carriageway adjoining the Llanwern site and will have little impact upon public highways.
Main contractor BAM Nuttall is currently preparing for the 52 week contract with verge clearance and ducting necessitating cones on the inside lanes. These works will continue until June after which the main impact on the public will take effect with changes to access from the B4245 and the M4. Improvements and upgrades on the B4245 slip roads will require a series of diversions, night time road closures and installation of traffic signals. This work is expected to take 11 weeks and be ready by the end of August. Meanwhile, reconstruction on the single carriageway route from the M4 to the steelworks site is anticipated to be complete by November. Lane closures will be in operation while resurfacing and the final installation of traffic signs take place.
The Steelworks Access Road will open once operations on the steelworks site dual-carriageway come to an end early next year. It will provide an alternative route to the M4 – improving resilience to incidents on the motorway, as part of the Welsh Government’s Corridor Enhancement Measures – as well as a convenient route from Magor to the south of Newport. During the works a 40mph speed limit will be in place and updates on details will be available on Monmouthshire County Council’s roadworks report www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/ as well as publicised on yellow roadside information boards.
