An important repair scheme will start next week to A4059 Afon Cynon Bridge, located on the stretch of road between Cwmbach and Asda roundabouts in the Cynon Valley. Initial work activity from April 28 will include site setup and investigations, with the main repairs then proceeding throughout the year.
Please note, while this is a large scheme, it will be delivered with all required traffic management taking place during overnight work shifts – while a limited number of road closures will be needed. These arrangements will help to significantly minimise disruption on this busy section of the road network.
The structure carries the A4059 over the River Cynon, and it requires a series of maintenance repairs. The work programme is planned until winter 2025/26, but it may need to be resumed in the following spring/summer, dependent upon Natural Resources Wales access constraints above the main river.
The scheme will install new bearings throughout the structure, complete concrete repairs to the front faces of the abutments and ballast walls, replace bridge deck joints with new movement joints, replace a section of damaged parapet, install blockstone scour protection, make masonry wall repairs, carry out maintenance painting, and repair the footpath beneath the bridge.
The Council has appointed Horan Construction Ltd to deliver the scheme, which is funded through the Council’s ongoing Highways Capital Programme.
From April 28, the contractor will set up a site compound at Aberaman Park Industrial Estate, and undertake vegetation clearance, ecological mitigation measures and surveys. Initial measures will include:
- Two-way traffic lights on Afon Cynon Bridge from 8pm-6am on Monday, April 28, for up to five nights of work. This will enable trial holes to locate key services across the bridge.
- A temporary closure of the public right of way beneath the bridge from May 7. This will continue throughout the wider repair scheme, to ensure safety for the workforce and the public.
Following these initial works, the main repair scheme will begin in May 2025. The work programme is outlined below, though it is subject to change based on many factors, including weather conditions and any unforeseen issues:
- Formation of a temporary ramp access from the A4059 to the river, requiring temporary traffic lights at night (anticipated in spring 2025).
- Jacking of the bridge to enable the replacement of bearings, requiring a road closure at night. Following completion, a further road closure will be needed at night to de-jack the bridge (anticipated in autumn 2025).
- Replacement of the bridge’s expansion joints will require a full road closure to take place at night (anticipated in autumn 2025).
- Removal of scaffolding on the bridge will require a full road closure to take place at night (anticipated in winter 2025/26).
The Council will communicate arrangements relating to all of these key work activities, including the required traffic management, once they are finalised.
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “This large work scheme to A4059 Afon Cynon Bridge will repair and future-proof the structure, which supports the road between Asda and Cwmbach roundabouts on the arterial route through the Cynon Valley. There will only be a small number of activities requiring traffic management – and all of these will be scheduled at night to significantly minimise disruption. While the overall scheme is expected to last until the winter (2025/26), there is the possibility some works may need to be resumed next summer, depending on NRW access constraints.
“Our Highways Capital Programme continues to fund a major programme of work to repair and maintain large structures that support our highway network, setting aside £9.95 million in 2025/26. Like the Afon Cynon Bridge, they often focus on large infrastructure and must contend with other key factors that increase the complexity of work – including the need to maintain traffic flow on busy commuter routes, the presence of rivers nearby, and access restrictions.
“Thanks to residents and road users for your cooperation over the months ahead, as we deliver this scheme. Initial work starts from April 28, including trial holes that require temporary traffic lights at night, and a public right of way closure beneath the bridge from May 7. As the scheme moves onto its main phase from May, the Council will communicate all activity requiring traffic management, while working closely with its contractor to minimise disruption.”
Posted on 25/04/2025