Closure plans scaled back for M53 bridge project
Highways England has cancelled plans for a second, weekend-long closure of Merseyside’s M53 for work to install a new bridge deck at junction 2 of the motorway at Moreton, west of Birkenhead.
Instead of taking a full weekend to do the work, Highways England is now aiming for it to be completed within routine overnight closures of the northbound and southbound carriageways.
Highways England is spending £2.8 million to repair one and replace another of the two bridges which carry the southbound entry and exit slips over the motorway. A weekend motorway closure to remove the bridge deck was lifted several hours ahead of schedule in April.
The new bridge beams will be installed on Friday night (3 July) with a contingency in place for a second’ night’s work on Saturday (4 July). There will then be overnight closures of the southbound or northbound carriageways – or, on occasions, both carriageways – up to Friday 17 July as concrete is poured onto the new beams and finishing works take place.
All overnight work will take place between 8pm and 6am each night with clearly-signed diversions in place.
Highways Agency project manager Mark Mosley said:
We are now ready to install the new bridge beams and after reviewing working arrangements believe we can do this during a routine overnight closure at a weekend when traffic is at its lightest. This means keeping any disruption to motorway users to an absolute minimum.
It is worth noting that we have closed the main carriageways overnight frequently during this project without causing too much disruption to people’s journeys but we would like to thank drivers for their continued patience.
The dedicated webpage for the project is updated regularly and drivers can sign up to personal email alerts when updates are available.
Drivers are urged to check travel conditions before setting out on journeys. Highways England provides live traffic information via its website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. Local Twitter services are also available at @HighwaysNWEST.
Providing they can do so safely, road users can also call the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000 to keep up to date with road conditions.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.