A major National Highways scheme to replace the A533 Expressway bridge over the M56 has reached a key milestone after the new bridge was lifted into position.
The 67-metre steel structure was built off-site at a compound close to the side of the motorway and was moved into place over the weekend.
It was slowly transported down the embankment, along the carriageway of the motorway and into position using a self-propelled modular transporter.
The motorway was closed between junctions 11 and 12 over the weekend to allow for the work to be carried out and the existing bridge was also closed while the new bridge was installed.
National Highways regional delivery director Stewart Jones said: ‘Installing a bridge of this size in a single weekend was hugely ambitious.
‘Our team worked around the clock to make sure it was a success, and I’m pleased to say the motorway was re-opened for traffic ahead of schedule, late on Sunday night.’
‘I’d like to thank everyone who planned ahead for their journeys over the weekend. Reduced traffic volumes on the M56 meant delays were significantly lower than forecast.’
Amey Sir Robert McAlpine (AmeySRM) project manager Chris Buckley said: ‘It was an absolute priority for us to minimise disruption to the local community over the weekend. Our team ensured a safe crossing point for any pedestrians or cyclists who were passing through.’
National Highways said it made use of the weekend closures to also carry out additional work.
As well as removing narrow lanes from the M56, it installed three new manholes and a four-metre deep drain. It also carried out structural surveys, installed infrastructure for new power and phone cables, and completed general maintenance work.
In June 2020 Highways England, as the government-owned company was known, and AmeySRM signed a £23m contract for scheme. The National Highways webpage for the scheme currently gives the cost as £27m.
National Highways said the next milestone for the project will be removing the old bridge, which is expected to happen in the spring.
AmeySRM has previously described demolishing the old bridge once it is sandwiched between the new one and the existing railway bridge serving the West Coast main line as ‘just one of the challenges on the project’.
