The M32 has been repeatedly closed over the last few weeks, much to the annoyance of road users.
The motorway was shut on March 5, 10 and then again earlier this week around J2 for Eastville.
Drivers were told it had been closed for "emergency repairs" but were left bemused as to why the issue was not resolved the first time.
Police were even called to manage the closure on March 5 and a witness said on a later date there was a "big hole" in the motorway.
Highways England has now confirmed the repairs are needed because of potholes caused by recent weather.
Julian Strong, service delivery manager said: “The seasonal wet and cold weather has created a number of potholes recently along sections of the M32, particularly around the Eastville Viaduct.
This is when go-slow Brexit lorry protest could cause traffic chaos on M4 and M5
"We have been carrying out regular emergency patching work but if we were to carry out significant repairs it would entail largescale disruption to the major link into Bristol.
“It’s imperative that we carry out this emergency patching work to maintain safety while not having too adverse an impact on the traffic flow.
“We work closely with our police partners, and recently Avon and Somerset Constabulary closed the road for safety reasons and that allowed us to inspect and make safe the defect.”
