2017
Bristol, South West
Bristol City Council
Graham Construction
Aktins
M32 Bus Lane Bridge Extension
MacWall construction with reinforced soil support
Slip road with further construction of MacWall
MacWall Construction
Slip Road Section – MacWall Vertica – 4 Degrees BBA
MacWall construction moving forward towards completion
Challenge
The M32 in Bristol is a critical transport artery linking the city centre to the M4 motorway and surrounding areas to the north-west of Bristol. However, increasing traffic demand has led to severe congestion, significantly impacting journey reliability and causing long delays, particularly for bus services. As a result, public transport has become less efficient and less attractive to commuters.
This congestion has also contributed to rising levels of air pollution along the corridor, creating environmental and public health concerns. The existing infrastructure was not adequately supporting sustainable transport objectives, highlighting the urgent need for a modern solution to improve traffic flow, prioritise public transport, and reduce emissions.
Solution
To tackle congestion and improve sustainable travel in Bristol, a dedicated bus priority solution was implemented as part of the city’s wider MetroBus programme. The project involved the construction of a new bus-only bridge over the M32, extending the existing bus lane and creating a faster, more reliable route for public transport.
This innovative infrastructure solution enables buses to bypass congested sections of the motorway, reducing journey times by up to 30 minutes for commuters. The scheme forms a vital link between Bristol and the M4, improving connectivity and encouraging a shift towards public transport use.
The £10 million design and build project included a 35-metre span steel bridge, constructed using two pairs of braced steel beams weighing approximately 70 tonnes each. Building on the success of the MetroBus bridge installed in June 2016, the project demonstrated a proven approach to delivering effective bus priority improvements in urban environments.
To minimise disruption during construction, the M32 remained largely operational, with only temporary diversions in place during evening works. A full weekend closure was coordinated by Graham Construction to safely install the bridge structure. Additional works included site clearance, drainage systems, and fencing to support the new infrastructure.
Environmental considerations were central to the scheme, with extensive landscaping and tree planting introduced to reduce the visual impact on the nearby Stoke Park Estate and surrounding areas.
As part of the project, Maccaferri delivered key elements of the slip road infrastructure using its MacWall® 4.0 system. This reinforced soil retaining wall solution provided a cost-effective, durable, and sustainable method of construction, supporting the overall efficiency and performance of the scheme.
This project represents a major step forward in improving transport infrastructure in Bristol, delivering faster bus travel, reduced congestion on the M32, and lower vehicle emissions through smarter urban mobility solutions.
Used Products
