Preparation work for National Highways’ £23 million project to provide a new road bridge over the M56 in Cheshire will be taking place next month. National Highways – the new name for Highways England - is replacing the A533 Expressway bridge with a brand-new crossing just a few metres further up the motorway near Runcorn. The bridge, between junction 11 and junction 12, provides a vital connection for people living or working on both sides of the motorway so it cannot be demolished until the new one has opened.
Preparation work for the project will start with a limited number of bridge and M56 lane closures including:
Overnight, 8pm to 6am, closure of the bridge in both directions for two nights on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 November with clearly signed diversions in place. In the event of postponement – for example due to bad weather – contingency-only closure dates of Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 November have also been scheduled.
Overnight, 8pm to 6am, closure of two lanes of the westbound M56 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 15, 16, 17 and 18 November (four nights) and again, for another four nights, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 22, 23, 24 and 25 November. On each of the nights a single lane will remain open to traffic
A diversion route – crossing over the M56 at junction 11 instead – will operate using the A56, A558 and A533. Anyone seeking more information about the project can visit a dedicated project webpage at www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A533BridgeReplaceme