National Highways, a UK government company, has undertaken a significant step in the 拢23m ($29.6m) Manchester motorway bridge replacement project.
The company has installed four pairs of steel beams, with each pair weighing up to 65 tonnes, to support the new bridge deck on the M67 motorway in Denton, Greater Manchester.
The St Anne鈥檚 Road bridge is being replaced due to long-term safety concerns.
The new bridge, designed to provide unrestricted access for all road users, including eastbound access to the M67, also carries essential utility services. The rerouting of these services across Greater Manchester has been completed.
National Highways programme delivery manager Mangat Bansal said: 鈥淭his final weekend closure will allow our teams to safely聽install the eight steel beams which will carry the new bridge across the motorway.
鈥淚t is imperative we keep the travelling public and our workforce safe. To achieve this, we need to close the motorway for the weekend to allow for the heavy machinery needed to undertake this work to be brought in.
鈥淲e always strive to minimise disruption, although regretfully delays to journeys are expected. We therefore advise everyone to plan before they travel and allow extra time. We apologise for any inconvenience this work will cause and thank people for their support and patience while we continue our work.鈥�
Following the demolition of the old bridge and modification of the abutment walls, the 34m-long, 3m-wide, and 1.5m-high beams will be lifted into place using two cranes.
For the installation, a section of the M67 will be closed in both directions temporarily.
The project’s next phase will focus on constructing the new bridge deck, necessitating some overnight motorway closures.
Earlier this month, National Highways announced a 拢9m refurbishment of the M6 bridge over the River Lowther in Cumbria, to commence on 31 March 2025.
