The M56 will be closed near Runcorn for the next two weekends as National Highways’ 18-month, £27m A533 bridge replacement project nears completion.
The motorway will be closed in both directions between junctions 11 and 12 from 9pm on Friday (12 May) until 6am on Monday (15 May) as what the government-owned company called a ‘delicate’ operation to demolish the old A533 Expressway bridge gets underway.
M56 junction 11 to 12 diversion
The removal of the old bridge and associated work along the M56 will be completed the following weekend, with the M56 closing again between junctions 11 and 12 from 9pm on Friday 19 May to 6am on Monday 22 May.
The new bridge opened to traffic for the first time on 17 April, leaving the old bridge sandwiched between it and the prominent arched railway bridge carrying the London to Liverpool West Coast mainline.
A533 Expressway bridge diversion
National Highways said the new bridge will also need to close during the two weekends because of its proximity to the one being removed.
It added that access via the bridge will be maintained for walkers and cyclists, who will be assisted through the closure, but warned that it will not be possible to view the demolition from this location.
Access to and from the A56 local road will also be closed - again for safety reasons – at its junction with the A533 near the new bridge.
Diversions for both the bridge and motorway closures will be in place and National Highways is advising road users to use alternative routes during the closures and avoid the area if possible. Long delays are expected.
A new video animation has been produced highlighting the kind of work taking place over the two weekends.
