Halesowen bridge must be shut for six months
A road bridge in the centre of Halesowen will shut for six months while a £300,000 project to strengthen it is completed.
Motorists use The Rumbow bridge, which is one of six in the borough earmarked for improvements, to cross the River Stour when heading into or leaving the town from the A458
Council bosses want to replace the concrete deck on the bridge and resurface the road.
Once completed, vehicles of up to 40 tonnes will be able to use the bridge.
The route, including the Church Lane junction, will shut for six months from March 4 to August 31 and traffic will be diverted.
Dudley's transport chief Councillor Judy Foster said: "The Rumbow bridge, which acts as a tunnel for the River Stour under The Rumbow and Church Lane, has been inspected and monitored regularly to ensure that the roadway it carries has been kept open and available for local businesses and its vehicles.
"Following assessments work will be carried out on Rumbow Bridge to bring the bridge up to the required 40 tonne carrying capacity."
Throughout the works, the council says access for businesses will be maintained and also access to the front of properties where safe to do so.
The road closure will go 300ft either side of the bridge and include the Church Lane junction.
Temporary access to Church Lane will be created, all other traffic leaving the town centre will have to go via Birmingham Street and Pool Road.
The bridge was rebuilt in 1949 by the county council.
