National Highways has announced a major programme of essential maintenance on the A14 Orwell Bridge, scheduled to begin on Monday, 16 June 2025 and continue through to August 2025. This work is expected to have a significant impact on road freight traffic travelling to and from the Port of Felixstowe, one of the UK’s busiest container ports.
At Beckchoice, we’re committed to keeping our customers informed of potential disruptions so you can plan ahead and minimise delays in your supply chain.
Key Dates and Details
Phase 1: Preliminary Night Works
- From Monday, 16 June 2025: Overnight Lane closures between 8pm and 6am.
- From Friday 20 June to Thursday 26 June 2025: Full carriageway closures overnight, including the weekend.
Phase 2: Contraflow and Long-Term Changes
- From Monday, 23 June 2025: The eastbound carriageway (towards Felixstowe) will be reduced to one lane. Westbound remains unaffected at this stage.
- From Thursday, 26 June 2025 until August 2025:
- Both directions of the A14 will operate under a contraflow system with one lane open in each direction.
- The westbound entry slip road at Junction 57 (Nacton Interchange) will be closed for the duration of the project to reduce congestion and improve safety.
- Traffic joining the westbound A14 will be diverted via Junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange).
Diversions and Travel Advice
During overnight closures, traffic will be diverted via a clearly signed route between:
- Junction 58 (Seven Hills Interchange)
- Junction 55 (Copdock Interchange)
via the A12 and A1214.
Although the bridge will remain open for most of the works, journey times are expected to increase. Drivers are encouraged to remain on the A14 rather than divert onto local routes through Ipswich, to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.
Why the Works Are Taking Place
The current bridge joints, installed in 1998, have reached the end of their operational life. The maintenance involves replacing two key joints on the westbound side of the bridge to ensure its continued safe operation for the 60,000+ vehicles it carries daily.
National Highways will be working 24/7, including weekends, to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible. However, weather and other unforeseen factors may impact the timeline.
What This Means for Your Freight Movements
With long-term lane reductions, a contraflow system, and the closure of a key westbound slip road, freight traffic on the A14 corridor, especially to and from Felixstowe, is expected to face delays. These changes may impact collection and delivery schedules, so we strongly recommend planning ahead to avoid disruption.
At Beckchoice, we’re actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available. Stay informed by checking this page regularly or following us on LinkedIn. If you have any questions or need tailored support, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re here to help keep your supply chain moving.
Please note: This information is accurate as of 28 May 2025. Please note that roadwork schedules are subject to change due to weather or operational factors. For the most up-to-date information, we recommend visiting the National Highways website. We will continue to update this post with any major developments as they arise.