Mill Street bridge closes for six weeks of repairs

Mill Street bridge will close to all traffic for six weeks while crews reinforce its steel girders and replace the worn deck surface. Built in the 1930s, the bridge carries around 9,000 vehicles a day between the Old Town and the river suburbs, and engineers expect the work to extend its working life by another 50 years.

What is being repaired

A recent structural assessment found corrosion on several of the original steel girders and cracking in the road surface above them. Crews will treat and strengthen the girders, replace the expansion joints at both ends and lay a new waterproof deck. The bridge's heritage railings will be removed, restored off site and reinstalled once the work is complete.

Detours and getting around

Drivers should use the Harbour Road crossing, which will have extended green-light phases at peak times. Bus routes 14 and 22 will be diverted via Harbour Road, and temporary stops will be signed on both sides of the river. Pedestrians and cyclists can cross using the Ferry Lane footbridge, which will be lit and staffed with a traffic marshal during school drop-off hours.

A bridge this old does not need replacing, it needs looking after. Six weeks of careful repairs now saves a decade of emergency closures.

What this means for you

Allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes for journeys across the river during the closure. Local businesses on Mill Street will remain open and accessible on foot, and deliveries will be managed through a temporary loading zone. If you have questions about access to your home or business, call 311 or send us a message. Daily progress updates will be posted on this page.