Drivers face travel delays as repair work begins on an iconic UK bridge, with the speed limit set to drop to 40mph. The project, confirmed by National Highways, will affect around 180,000 motorists every day.
£27m project to replace bridge joints
The Thelwall Viaduct, which carries the M6 across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, will undergo repairs over the coming months. The £27 million project has been launched because the 4,500ft bridge's expansion joints have reached the end of their functional lifespan. They will be replaced on both the northbound and southbound sides to prevent the risk of future closures.
Chris Court, programme delivery manager at 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."
Timeline and traffic management
Scaffolding will be installed underneath the bridge from September 1, while overnight work will start on the M6, between junctions 20 and 21, from September 28. The work is expected to be complete by winter 2027/2028.
From October 12 this year until March next year, a 24/7 contraflow system and 40mph speed limit will be introduced while joint replacement takes place on the northbound side. The layout will then flip between Spring and December 2027 as the southbound bridge joints are replaced.
Further works and completion
The final resurfacing, road markings, and traffic sensor replacements will be installed in the winter of 2027/28. Overnight lane closures will be in place while the work takes place.
Separate work is set to take place on the M6 northbound between junctions 32 and 33 at Whittingham Lane underbridge near Preston, from September 12 until October 29.
