Reopening Date For Drypool Bridge in Hull

For anyone who’s had their daily journey through Hull turned upside down since September 2025, there's some good news on the horizon. The long-awaited reopening of Drypool Bridge is finally here. After months of detours and delays, the first big phase of essential repairs has been finished, and just in time. The bridge is set to open back up to two-way traffic and pedestrians from 8pm on Thursday 27 November. This is a huge milestone for everyone in the city, from commuters to local businesses getting ready for the busy Christmas period. The full road closure is coming to an end, for now at least.

So, what’s been going on with the bridge?

It might feel like the orange cones and diversion signs have been around forever, but there’s a really good reason for all the disruption. Last year, inspectors took a good look at the Drypool Bridge and found that it needed some major TLC. This wasn't just a case of patching up a few cracks, it was about serious, essential repair works to make sure the bridge is safe and sound for years to come.

The Hull City Council, working with Esh Construction and designers Mason Clark Associates, kicked off a big project to fix the underlying issues. This type of work on a city’s infrastructure is a bit like doing home renovations. Nobody enjoys the dust and mess while it’s happening, but the final result makes it all worthwhile. This project is all about futureproofing one of Hull’s most important crossings and protecting its unique heritage. This vital piece of road network needed this attention.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, who looks after transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council, highlighted the teamwork involved. He said: “Thanks to the excellent collaboration between the council and its contractors, we have been able to complete this first phase of works and re-open the bridge on time - providing a timely boost for the local economy as we head into the busy Christmas and New Year period.”

The reopening: What drivers need to know

The big day is Thursday 27 November. From 8pm, cars and pedestrians can use the Drypool Bridge again. This reopening marks a significant moment in the ongoing repairs programme. However, it's not quite a return to complete normality just yet.

While the main closure is lifted, the work isn't completely finished. To keep the construction teams and the public safe, there will be traffic management measures in place. Think of it as a temporary new layout. The lanes will be a bit narrower than usual, so drivers will need to take extra care when crossing. The good news is that the dreaded full road closure is over for the time being. The council is aiming to keep disruption to a minimum.

There is another full closure planned for sometime in 2026 to finish the last of the essential repairs. No specific dates have been announced for that yet, but there will be plenty of notice and updates closer to the time.

Councillor Ieronimo added:

"Drypool Bridge provides a vital crossing between east and west Hull, and I’m really pleased that we can reopen it for a period of time while these essential repairs continue. Reopening the bridge, even under traffic management, will help keep Hull moving and make journeys easier for residents, businesses and visitors. Thank you for your ongoing patience as we work to fix and futureproof this important piece of Hull’s road infrastructure and heritage."

Behind the scenes of the construction work

Fixing a structure like the Drypool Bridge is a seriously complicated job. It’s a piece of local heritage, and the engineering has to be spot on. The teams from Esh Construction and Mason Clark Associates have been dealing with some pretty tricky conditions.

Michael Sherrard, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, explained their approach:

“We have carefully planned the programme of works to minimise disruption wherever possible, ensuring the bridge is closed only when necessary to complete repairs safely and efficiently. Reopening Drypool Bridge under traffic management is a significant milestone that will help keep Hull moving while we continue to tackle the complexities of this important project.”

It’s not as simple as just working on the road surface. Much of the crucial repair has been happening in tight spaces underneath the bridge deck, right next to the key parts that hold everything together.

Andy Thompson, director of bridges at Mason Clark Associates, gave some more detail on the challenges:

“Drypool Bridge presents a unique set of engineering challenges, with much of the work taking place in confined spaces beneath the deck and around key structural elements. Our team continues to work meticulously with Esh to deliver high-quality repairs that will restore the bridge’s integrity and extend its service life for many years to come.”

What other changes are happening?

The Drypool Bridge closure had a knock-on effect on other parts of the city’s road network. Now that the first phase of the repair is done, these temporary changes, or mitigation measures, are being rolled back.

• Alfred Gelder Street: The road closure on Alfred Gelder Street (between Lowgate and Clarence Street) will also be lifted. This was in place for work on the District Heating network but can now reopen along with the bridge.
• Bus Gate on Queen’s Dock Avenue: The temporary Bus Gate, which helped bus services during the closure, will be suspended from 8pm on 27 November 2025. The signs will come down, though the road markings will stay for now.
• AI Traffic Signals: The smart traffic lights that were brought in to help ease congestion will be switched back to their original settings on the morning of Friday 28 November.
• Park and Ride: The temporary park and ride service on Holderness Road will be closed.

These mitigation measures were put in place to handle the extra traffic caused by the bridge closure, so removing them is another step towards getting the city’s infrastructure back to normal. Regular updates will be provided by the council on any future works.