Bridge plan to combat M5 and A41 traffic chaos
A bridge could be built over a motorway in a multi-million pound bid to cut congestion at a notorious junction.
Transport bosses are drawing up plans for the bridge over the roundabout at Junction 1 of the M5 in West Bromwich, which would see A41 traffic continue straight over the motorway.
Drivers currently have to deal with queues on a daily basis at the busy island, which connects The Expressway and Birmingham Road.
It comes as council chiefs continue to seek funding for a planned revamp of the Birchley Island in Oldbury, further down the M5 at Junction 2.
Bosses are desperate to find a solution to congestion problems faced every day at the two motorway junctions where traffic regularly grinds to a halt.
They will now work on securing funding for the bridge scheme.
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling said: “We have got capacity problems at Junction 1, not just at Junction 2. The motorway goes underneath the island at J1.
“If we were to put the A41 straight through the middle (of the junction), it would go over the motorway and an extra bridge would be built.
“We will be promoting that scheme to get national funding. It is a strategic highway network.
“The funding would come from government and through the local enterprise partnership.
“This would be a multi-million-pound project. We want to deliver this project because the traffic is just congested there so much of the time.”
Councillor Eling said the current island would stay the same and was not able to give a timeline for the project.
The Express & Star recently revealed how long-awaited plans for the Birchley Island have finally taken a step forward.
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is set to approve a bid for £125,000 towards the scheme progress.
LEP board member Ninder Johal welcomed the plans to improve the island at Junction 1, saying: “In order to compete in a global market, we need to be able to move goods and people much quicker than we do.
“Any improvements to infrastructure is key to that.”
Roadworks on the M5 are currently adding to congestion in the area. Repairs are being made to the Oldbury Viaduct between Junction 1 and Junction 2.
