MOTORISTS using the M6 are being warned that a major £2.5 million project involving maintenance work on Thelwall Viaduct will begin at the end of this week with overnight carriageway closures to install traffic management.
The Highways Agency is delivering a project to replace six bridge expansion joints in the two bridge decks in a nine week project which will lead to some carriageway closures from 10pm-5am.
The joints allow the bridge to move safely during changes in the weather and different traffic conditions.
To keep four lanes of the motorway running in each direction, a part-contraflow system is being installed at the end of this week.
Highways Agency project sponsor Louise Cannon said: “This is routine but essential maintenance and, while we are working hard to minimise disruption to drivers’ journeys and keeping four lanes open in each direction, some congestion is inevitable.
“Drivers can help themselves over the next few weeks by staying in touch with developments and thinking about planning their journeys – whether that means staggering their normal journey times or using an alternative motorway route.”
The bridge joints along the southbound bridge will be replaced first and the traffic management will then be switched for work to take place on the northbound bridge.
The northbound carriageway of the motorway will close overnight between 10pm and 5am this Thursday (February 27) for part of the contraflow system to be installed. The southbound carriageway will then close on Friday night (February 28) between 10pm and 5am for the contraflow installation to be completed.
Further overnight carriageway closures will be taking place in the middle of the project when work switches to the northbound bridge and at the end for removal of the traffic management.
Provisional dates for the overnight carriageway closures for switching the traffic management have been set for Sunday March 23 (northbound carriageway closure) and Monday March 24 (southbound). Provisional dates for the overnight carriageway closures for total removal of the traffic management have been set for Tuesday April 29 (northbound) and Wednesday April 30 (southbound). The project is due to be completed by Friday May 9.
Both the northbound and southbound carriageway closures on Thursday and Friday next week will be between Lymm and Croft interchanges, the M56 and M62 will have clearly signed diversions in place using alternative motorway and local routes.
From this Saturday March 1, drivers will find only three lanes open on the southbound bridge with one further southbound lane on the northbound bridge running against four northbound lanes. All the lanes will be narrowed and a 40mph speed limit will be in place backed by safety cameras.
A dedicated project page has been set up on the Highways Agency’s website at www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m6-thelwall-viaduct. It includes advice and tips for planning and managing journeys during the project.
Drivers can sign up for regular email and Twitter updates. Scheme and live traffic information is also available from the Highways Agency’s Information Line at 0300 123 5000.
Electronic and hard signs will also be used to give information to motorway users.
Thelwall Viaduct carriageway closures set to start for repairs
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
