Drivers using Belfast’s M3 Lagan Bridge are being warned of disruption over three weekends in August 2026 as a major bridge maintenance scheme gets under way.
The work will begin at 9pm on Friday 14 August and is expected to continue until 6am on Monday 17 August. Further closures are planned from 9pm on Friday 21 August until 6am on Monday 24 August, and from Friday 28 August until 6am on Monday 31 August.
Three weekends of restrictions
The scheme is the third phase of bearing replacement work on the bridge, following earlier phases in 2024 and 2025. The Department for Infrastructure said 18 bearings have been replaced so far, with six more planned during the latest phase.
During the first weekend, the westbound M3 Middlepath Street on-slip road will be closed. Drivers attempting to access the M3 from Belfast 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 and A2 York Street.
Lanes one and two will also be closed westbound, with no access to or from the M3 Nelson Street off-slip road towards the A12 Westlink. Drivers travelling from the Sydenham bypass towards the Westlink or north or west Belfast will not be able to exit until the M2 Junction 1 Fortwilliam Roundabout off-slip. They will then be redirected southbound on the M2 towards Nelson Street.
Eastbound diversion
The second weekend will affect the eastbound carriageway. The M3 Nelson Street on-slip road will be closed, with traffic diverted via A2 Nelson Street, A2 Dunbar Link, A2 Victoria Street, A2 Waring Street, A2 Albert Square, A2 Donegall Quay, A2 Queen Elizabeth Bridge and A2 Middlepath Street.
The third weekend will repeat the westbound arrangement. The M3 Middlepath Street westbound on-slip road will close, while lanes one and two will be closed westbound and the Nelson Street off-slip road towards the A12 Westlink will not be accessible.
Drivers coming from the Sydenham bypass will again have to continue to the M2 Junction 1 Fortwilliam off-slip road, before being redirected on the M2 southbound towards Nelson Street.
Advice for road users
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the bridge carries more than 90,000 vehicles and described the specialist work as necessary to keep the structure in sound condition.
“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.”
The Department said the closures have been scheduled for summer weekends, when traffic volumes are lower than average. Diversion routes will be signed on the approaches, and drivers have been asked to follow temporary traffic-management arrangements for the safety of the public and road workers.
The work is subject to favourable weather conditions. A traffic schematic showing the closures and diversion routes is available through the Department for Infrastructure’s M3 road-closure information. Further traffic updates are available from TrafficWatchNI.
The work will be delivered by Highway Management (City) Ltd under its design, build, finance and operate contract, with Ekspan Ltd as the main contractor.
Ten bearings were replaced in summer 2024 at a cost of £700,000, followed by eight in 2025 at a cost of £400,000. Further bearing replacements are planned for summer 2027.
