Speed limits and lane closures for M6 viaduct works

Speed limits and lane closures are being imposed on a motorway viaduct as work is carried out to replace its bridge joints.

The £27m "essential" upgrade will begin on the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6 in Lymm, Warrington, on 1 September.

A full time contraflow system will be introduced from 12 October, as well as a temporary 40 mph (64 kmh) speed limit and narrow lanes.

National Highways said the viaduct, which crosses the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, was "built several decades ago" and the work was needed for safety reasons.

Work will be done on one carriage way at a time.

All lanes - northbound and southbound - will stay open during the day, with one lane open overnight on the carriageway being worked on.

"Our road network is ageing, and many key structures, including Thelwall Viaduct, were built several decades ago," Chris Court from National Highways said.

"The viaduct's joints have now reached the end of their operational lifespan, making replacement essential to maintain safety and reliability for road users."

The project is due to be completed by the beginning of 2028.

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