UK launches £27m expansion joint replacement on M6 Thelwall Viaduct on 1 September

en.Wedoany.com Reported - National Highways will begin work on 1 September to replace the bridge expansion joints on the M6 Thelwall Viaduct. The viaduct, which spans the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, carries more than 180,000 vehicles a day. The replacement aims to ensure its safe operation under temperature changes, load and wind action, while reducing the risk of unplanned closures.

The project is located near Lymm in Warrington and involves both northbound and southbound structures, with the longest structure measuring approximately 4,500 feet. The expansion joints absorb the expansion, contraction and movement of the bridge caused by temperature, traffic load and wind. National Highways said the joints on this bridge have reached the end of their service life, and replacing them is essential to maintain safety and reliability for road users while minimising disruption to those travelling through.

The scheme forms part of the UK government's £27 billion five-year road investment strategy. This strategy has allocated £8.4 billion for carriageway resurfacing and bridge refurbishment between 2026 and 2031.

Chris Court, National Highways project delivery manager, said the UK's road network is ageing, with many key structures such as the Thelwall Viaduct built decades ago. The viaduct's expansion joints have now reached the end of their service life and must be replaced to maintain safety and reliability for road users. He noted that this investment will secure the long-term future of the structure, keeping this vital route safe, resilient and fit for purpose, and that a well-maintained road network is essential for supporting businesses, creating jobs and driving regional economic growth.

Work will begin on 1 September, with scaffolding first installed beneath the bridge to provide access to the expansion joints. From 28 September, overnight works will take place on the M6 between junctions 20 and 21, with the project expected to be completed before winter 2027/28. From 12 October, a 24/7 contraflow system will be in operation on this stretch: northbound traffic will run from after junction 20 to junction 21, and southbound traffic from before junction 21 to before junction 20. National Highways said this approach is the safest way to carry out the construction while significantly reducing the number of motorway closures.