Repair work on bridges along the M6 has now resumed, following delays last month during the first weekend of the project.
Repair work on bridges along the M6 has now resumed, following delays last month during the first weekend of the project.
National Highways had intended to launch the initiative, which involves important wear and tear repairs in Lancashire, towards the end of September, but this had to be cancelled.
After a review of the plan was conducted, it was decided instead of the scheduled daytime carriageway closures, the work will now only happen at night.
The group apologised to motorists who were caught in the delays during the first weekend of closed carriageways, and subsequently took the initiative to cancel the following three full weekends of closures. This is to reduce disruption for drivers.
On 1 October, the planned work recommenced, which will now involve the closure of the southbound M6 between junction 33 and 32 every night for four weeks.
The road will be closed between 2100 and 0500, with drivers able to use a diversion along the A6 instead.
Gary Knowles, head of scheme delivery for National Highways in the northwest, said: “We would like to thank motorway users and people living along the A6 overnight diversion route for their patience and support as we resume these important repairs which will help keep everyone safely on the move.”
Although it is likely the repair work will still cause disruptions to drivers, this will not be as much as it originally would have been if the work was being done at the weekends.
National Highways has urged motorists to use the diversion and check traffic conditions before setting off on a journey.
As part of the project, the potholes along the motorway carriageway on Whittingham Lane and Stubbins Lane bridges will be filled in to avoid damage to vehicles and reduce car accidents caused by poor road quality.
In addition to this, the £1.7 million project will also include refurbishing the bridge decks, re-waterproofing, concrete repairs, and replacement of bridge joints. This will enable the bridges to expand and contract better, making them more equipped to deal with changes in temperature during the winter months.
Furthermore, a new central reservation safety barrier will be built on each bridge. There will also be new surfacing, white lining, and road studs to improve the use and appearance of the roadways.
This is not the only north-western bridge National Highways is working on, as the A533 Expressway bridge over the M56 near Runcorn in Cheshire is being replaced.
“We plan to replace the existing structure with a new 67m two-span concrete bridge, consisting of a single two-lane carriageway and a combined footpath/cycleway. The replacement of this bridge will ensure an increased life span of over 120 years for road users, maintaining safety in the long term,” a spokesperson for the organisation explained.
As part of the larger £23 million project, M56 junctions 11 and 12 will be closed from 2100 on 7 October to 0600 on 9 October, so new safety barriers can be installed.
The westbound and eastbound carriageways, as well as the current A533 Expressway bridge, will also be closed between 2100 on 29 October and 0600 on 31 October. This is to allow the new bridge to be lifted into position.
Find out more about bridge expansion joints here.