National Highways has announced plans to demolish and rebuild a concrete bridge crossing the M42 at Junction 6, after a ‘detailed assessment' of the 50-year-old structure found that strengthening ‘would not provide a long-term solution'.
Initially, a 7.5tn weight restriction was put in place after the defect was first discovered, but the bridge was shut at the beginning of July when National Highways identified further deterioration to the concrete as well as corrosion to the steel reinforcement of the structure.
National Highways told Highways that Morgan Sindall has been awarded the contract to demolish and replace the bridge under the strategic road authority's Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF). It added that ‘the value for the bridge demolition work is still being determined'.
National Highways head of network planning and development, Ian Doust, said: ‘Many of the motorways and structures we manage were built over half a century ago and now need renewing or replacing to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
‘Safety has to be our priority which is why we closed the bridge when we saw such a rapid change in the condition of the structure.
‘Investigations showed that the most effective and efficient solution is to demolish the bridge and re-build it to modern standards to keep people and goods moving safely and reliably.'
National Highways plans to demolish the bridge at the same time as one of the planned closures of the M42 between Junctions 6 and 9 for HS2 works ‘in the coming weeks' to minimise disruptions.
Plans are currently being developed for a temporary bridge to be introduced at the junction until a replacement structure can be installed.
