Highways England (HE) is to start major concrete repair and waterproofing works this month on the Oldbury viaduct, between junctions 1 and 2 of the UK motorway. 

The £100m scheme to repair a viaduct on the M5 in the West Midlands will be undertaken by HE as part of a major government investment to build a modern and resilient road network. 

HE explained that the structure, built in the early 1970s, is still safe to travel, but work needs to be carried out in order to strengthen and make it more resilient for the future. 

The work is set to begin shortly, and 40mph speed limits will be imposed on affected junctions and motorists will be using narrower lanes during this period. 

In order to provide real-time traffic information to the motorists, HE will be deploying upgraded travel information signs that will be directly integrated with its regional control centres that monitor traffic flows in order to provide travel advice about the quickest journey times.

"During this period, 40mph speed limits will be imposed on affected junctions and motorists will be using narrower lanes."

Highways England delivery manager Colin Jackson said: "We will be starting work on a major concrete repair and waterproofing scheme at the Oldbury viaduct, between junctions 1 and 2 of the M5 in the West Midlands, this month.

"At a cost in excess of £100m, Highways England is delivering a huge investment that will support economic growth locally and in the wider West Midlands. 

"Motorists travelling from across the country will be encouraged to consider alternative routes such as the M42 and M6 to keep congestion to a minimum on the M5 and surrounding roads while work takes place.” 

The work is expected to continue until 2019, and HE team will be coordinating with the haulage, freight and distribution industries, to allow their truck drivers to plan ahead and seek alternative routes.