THE new International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) has moved a step closer to connecting with its first delegates following the installation of a new bridge over the M4 motorway to improve access.

The new bridge sits alongside the existing overbridge to the Celtic Manor Resort which will become one-way for incoming traffic only to Celtic Manor and ICC Wales once the new crossing opens for traffic exiting the site.

With a span of 49.9m, the bridge was hoisted into place by a 500-ton crane in the early hours of Sunday morning.

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Led by Abergavenny-based principal contractor Alun Griffiths, the impressive engineering feat required an overnight closure of the M4 in both directions from 10pm until 8am, with all works proceeding on schedule to allow the motorway to reopen for daytime traffic.

ICC Wales Vice-President of Facilities and Development Russell Phillips said: “Watching the new bridge go in was definitely a landmark moment in the construction of ICC Wales.

South Wales Argus:

The bridge over the M4 has been installed for the new International Convention Centre Wales. Picture: The Celtic Manor Resort.

“It was a long night but everything went like clockwork during the installation. You always worry about a last-minute hitch in a project of this size but we could not have asked for it to go any better.

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“We look forward to welcoming all the new traffic to ICC Wales and it is reassuring to know we now have the infrastructure in place to get vehicles in and out quickly, making the most of our accessible location adjacent to Junction 24 of the M4.”

Constructed by Cleveland Bridge, the new crossing is a composite single span design with weathering steel box girders and a concrete deck.

It was joined to piled reinforced concrete abutments which have been in construction on the motorway embankments since September. Surfacing and finishing works will now take place before the bridge opens to traffic in time for the opening of ICC Wales later this year.

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The Welsh Government also used the full closure of the M4 in both directions to conduct several other pieces of remedial works between Junctions 24 and 28.

An £83.7m joint venture between Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor Resort, building work began on the ICC Wales site in June 2017. Once complete in the summer of 2019, the venue will provide total floor space for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and events of 26,000sqm – the equivalent size to nearly four international rugby pitches.