THOUSANDS of motorists can expect weeks of traffic chaos when multi-million pound works begin on a bridge crossing Hampshire’s busiest motorway.

Roads bosses will be restricting the movement of heavy goods vehicles going over the Romsey Road bridge after experts found it to be structurally weak.

Hundreds of lorries which use the road every day are set to be blocked from using the 72-metre long bridge this summer.

The 42-year old bridge, which crosses the M27 east of junction three, is part of the A3057 and forms one of the major arteries from Southampton into the Hampshire market town.

In 2018 work will begin to replace the bridge and replace it with a single-lane bridge with traffic heading in both directions.

Currently it is single-lane dual-direction carriageway with central reservation going down the middle.

The Daily Echo understands there are plans to reduce the width of the bridge by half.

No specific estimate on how much the project will cost has been given by Highways England, who are leading the project, but it is expected to be more than £5 million.

They added that 9,400 vehicles – including as many as 375 HGVs – travel along it daily.

Today villagers in Nursling will find out how the 26-tonne weight limit will affect them at a rushed meeting which was scheduled just days ago. A drop-in meeting will be held at Nursling and Rownhams Village Hall in Nursling Street from 3pm to 8pm.

Although the bridge is not expected to be replaced for another two years, roadworks are expected to start some time this summer to relocate the power cables hidden in the structure.

Narrow lanes will be introduced, a diversion will be put in place and there will be a weekend closure between the Romsey Golf Club roundabout and Paulette Lacave Avenue.

A diversion will be put in place, with further details expected to be provided today.

The weight limit will not affect vehicles such as buses, bin lorries or the emergency services.

It is not known when the weight restriction will be imposed, or when the work to remove the power cables will take place.

When the work to replace the bridge takes place in 2018, a section of the motorway, which runs from junction 3 at Nursling to junction 4 where it meet the M3, will be closed for a weekend.

Contractors Kier will be carrying out the work but it is not known what the final design will look like.

Work will only begin once funding has become available.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “We are monitoring the bridge and have found it is nearing the end of its usable life. We will introduce a 26-tonne reduced weight limit of 26 tonnes over the bridge as a precautionary measure to help ensure that the bridge can remain safe and open for traffic until it is replaced.

“We are planning the work in advance so that there is as little disruption to drivers and residents as possible. We are working closely with the local community to ensure they are kept informed throughout.

“The scheme will ultimately deliver a brand new bridge which will ensure the network is robust for many years to come.”

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Chairman of Nursling and Rownhams Parish Council, Phil Bundy, said: “I think it’s going to be an improvement on what we have now. I have asked for, and will hopefully receive very shortly, information on any possible re-routing that may take place as part of this project.”