Essential Maintenance Works for M3 Lagan Bridge, Belfast to commence
Date published:
A major maintenance scheme on the M3 Lagan Bridge is to commence on Friday 14 August 2026.
This work will be the third phase of bridge bearing replacements following previous phases in 2024 and 2025. To date 18 bearings have been replaced with a further 6 now planned, affecting the On and Off Slip Roads on the M3 Bridge.
This latest work is planned over three weekends during August, from Friday 14 August to Monday 17 August; Friday 21 August to Monday 24 August; and Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August 2026. During the three weekends various access restrictions will be in place to the M3 On and Off Slip Roads.
The first weekend road closure will impact the westbound carriageway from 9pm on Friday 14 August 2026 until 6am on Monday 17 August 2026 when the M3 Middlepath Street On – Slip Road (Westbound) will be closed. Anyone wishing to access the M3 from the city centre will be diverted via A2 Middlepath Street, A2 Bridge End, A2 Ann Street, A2 Victoria Street, A2 Dunbar Link, A2 Great Patrick Street, A2 York Street.
In addition lanes 1 and 2 will be closed west bound with no access or egress permitted to M3 Nelson Street Off- Slip Road (west bound) towards A12 Westlink. This will mean that anyone travelling on to the M3 directly from the Sydenham bypass towards the Westlink or north or west Belfast, will be unable to exit until the M2 Junction 1 Fortwilliam Roundabout Off-Slip Road, where they will be redirected onto M2 Motorway southbound towards Nelson Street for their onward journey.
The second weekend road closure will impact the eastbound carriageway from 9pm on Friday 21 August 2026 until 6am on Monday 24 August 2026. During this time the M3 Nelson Street On- Slip (eastbound) will be closed and traffic will be diverted via A2 Nelson Street, A2 Dunbar Link, A2 Victoria Street, A2 Waring Street, A2 Albert Square, A2 Donegall Quay, A2 Queen Elizabeth Bridge, A2 Middlepath Street.
The third weekend road closure will impact the westbound carriageway from Friday 28 August until 6am on Monday 31 August when the M3 Middlepath Street On-Slip Road (West Bound) will be closed. Once again anyone wishing to access the M3 from the city centre will be diverted via A2 Middlepath Street, A2 Bridge End, A2 Ann Street, A2 Victoria Street, A2 Dunbar Link, A2 Great Patrick Street, A2 York Street.
In addition, lanes 1 and 2 will be closed westbound with no access or egress permitted to M3 Nelson Street Off–Slip Road (west bound) toward A12 Westlink. This will mean that anyone travelling on to the M3 directly from the Sydenham bypass towards the Westlink or north or west Belfast, will be unable to exit until the M2 Junction 1 Fortwilliam Off- Slip Roundabout Off-Slip Road, where they will be redirected onto M2 Motorway southbound towards Nelson Street for their onward journey.
Minister Kimmins said:
“The M3 bridge is a key structure which carries over 90,000 vehicles and these specialist works are essential to ensure that the structure remains in a sound condition for future use."
“While closures are not as extensive as previous years, some traffic disruption can still be expected and I would advise road users to allow extra time for their journey, particularly if travelling to the ports or airports."
“I would like to thank the travelling public for their patience and cooperation while these important bridge maintenance works are completed.”
The works have been carefully planned to take place during weekends in the summer period when traffic volumes are lower than average.
Diversionary routes will be clearly signed on the approaches to the closure and road users are requested to abide by the temporary traffic management arrangements which are in place for the safety of the public and road workers.
All work is subject to favourable weather conditions.
The traffic schematic including diversion routes can be viewed at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/m3-road-closure-august-2026
For traffic information about this and other improvement schemes visit: www.trafficwatchni.com
Notes to editors:
1. The work will be carried out by Highway Management (City) Ltd, as part of their Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract and the main contractor for the works is Ekspan Ltd.
2. 10 bearings were replaced in summer 2024 at a cost of £700k and 8 bearings in 2025 at a cost of £400k . It is planned to replace more bearings in summer 2027.
3. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4. The Executive Information Service operates and out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hours and 0800 hours Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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