Rhymney Riverbridge Ballast Wall Replacement

The work will involve removal of an area of carriageway surfacing immediately above the abutments and excavation to a depth of approximately 3m to enable construction of replacement reinforced concrete ballast walls. Following the construction of the ballast walls, the backfill material will be reinstated, carriageway reconstructed and mechanical expansion joints with elastomeric inserts installed to accommodate thermal movements.The works are required as the existing thermal movements of the structure combined with the integral ballast walls have resulted in depressions in the surfacing immediately adjacent to the structure.Replacement ballast walls shall be constructed at both abutments which shall make the existing integral ballast walls redundant. A compressible material shall be installed between the existing and proposed ballast walls to prevent a build up of debris in the void which shall be required to accommodate thermal movements.Existing road markings and studs shall be locally reinstated/renewed to match existing.In order to carry out the work safely, it is anticipated that it will be necessary to close the bridge for a period of approximately 7 weeks.