M42 drivers are being warned to expect delays near Birmingham Airport as a motorway bridge is set to be demolished this weekend. The structure - hit 20 times over the last decade - will be removed prompting a 56-hour closure at a number of junctions in the area.
The bridge, between junctions 7 (M6 J4) and 6 (Birmingham Airport) was struck twice in one week by lorries using the motorway causing significant damage at the end of last month. The southbound carriageway has since been reduced to two lanes for safety reasons.
This weekend, depending on the weather, the bridge will come down. This will result in the M42 being closed between 9pm, on Friday, February 9, to 5am, on Monday, February 12.
The southbound carriageway will be closed from junction 9 to junction 6, together with the link arm from M6 south to M42 south and the M6 north to M42 south arm. The northbound carriageway will be closed from junction 6 to 7 including the link to the M6. There will be no impact on the M6 toll.
National Highways Asset Needs Manager Greg Fernee said: "To remove the bridge in a safe and controlled manner, we need to close the road for a full weekend. People will need to plan their journeys carefully, by checking diversion routes and allowing extra time particularly if they have a flight to catch from Birmingham Airport or are attending an event at the NEC.
Comments