Highways Agency engineers worked non-stop throughout the weekend (15 to 18 October) to complete the demolition of the M56 Bowdon View bridge.
Work began on Friday evening and was finished and the motorway re-opened to traffic by 3am today (Monday 18 October). Up to eight giant machines were used to demolish the bridge with 2,500 tonnes of concrete and metal being shifted. The rubble will be reused on other construction sites.
However, engineers were unable to complete the construction of a pillar in the centre of the motorway to support the new bridge. Therefore the Agency will carry out the installation this weekend – Friday 22 October to Sunday 24 October – with the new bridge now being put in place the weekend after, Friday 29 October to Monday 1 November.
Matt Sweeting, Highways Agency Regional Performance Manager said:
“A huge effort was put in this weekend to demolish the bridge but unfortunately we ran out of time to complete the pillar before we had to reopen the motorway to Monday morning rush hour traffic.
This means we will have to extend the work into a third weekend. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and advise drivers to allow extra time for their journeys. This is an essential scheme that is being carried out to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of journeys for all those who use this key route.”
Drivers are reminded that the M56 Junction 7 westbound exit will remain closed to traffic until the new bridge is installed.
To safely construct the central pillar to support the bridge, M56 will be closed eastbound from the junction with the M6 at Junction 9 and westbound from Junction 6 at Hale Barns from 10pm on Friday 22 October until 5:00am Sunday 24 October.
There will then be a full weekend closure from 10pm on Friday 29 October until 5:00am on Monday 1 November so the new bridge deck can be moved in to place.
During the weekend closures for traffic travelling eastbound on the M56 towards Manchester there will be a clearly signed diversion via the M6, M62 and M60. For traffic travelling towards Manchester Airport the diversion will be via the M6 and A556.
Westbound traffic will be diverted off at Junction 6 to return eastbound, then on to the M60, M62 and M6. All diversions will be clearly signed.
For pictures and a video of the demolition work being carried out, and to register for regular updates of the M56 Bowdon View bridge replacement scheme, please visit: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/9083.aspx
