Overnight carriageway closures for M6 bridge repairs
Drivers using the M6 through Cheshire are being advised to expect further overnight carriageway closures until the middle of the month as work continues to repair a motorway bridge
The Highways Agency is delivering a £950,000 repairs project between junction 16 of the motorway at Barthomley and junction 17 at Sandbach. Work to re-waterproof the bridge over the B5077 Crewe Road at Radway Green started on Friday 12 September and is expected to be completed by Sunday 19 October.
Highways Agency project manager Mark Mosley said:
This is important repair work to extend the life of the bridge structure and ensure that drivers can continue to enjoy safe, smooth and reliable journeys along this section of the M6.
A 40mph speed limit is in place around these road works for the safety of our contractors as well as drivers as there are excavations and heavy plant within the works. We urge drivers to stick to this temporary speed limit.
To allow the work to be done safely, a contraflow system is being employed to allow lanes to be closed for the repairs while keeping other lanes open for traffic. The contraflow is being moved at various times to allow the work to be done in phases across the motorway carriageway – with overnight closures of the carriageway needed to effect the changes.
The latest overnight closure is taking place tonight (Tuesday 7 October) between 10pm and 5am with the southbound carriageway closed between junction 18 for Holmes Chapel and junction 16. A clearly-signed diversion will be from junction 18 with drivers being sent westbound along the A54 to Congleton, southbound on the A34 for Talke and then the westbound A500 to junction 16.
Further overnight carriageway closures will be needed over the next fortnight to allow the contraflow to be adjusted again and then removed as the works are completed.
During the work a 40mph speed limit has been and remains in place on the approach to and through the roadworks and contraflow system backed by average speed cameras for driver and roadworker safety.
Drivers are urged to check travel conditions before setting out on journeys.
The Highways Agency 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 @HAtraffic_nwest, @HAtraffic_yorks and @HAtraffic_pen9 for transpennine routes.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.