THE planned demolition of St Anne’s Road bridge between Denton and Hyde will result in a full weekend closure of the M67 motorway later this month.
The ongoing £23 million bridge renewal project by National Highways is progressing well, but the next crucial phase necessitates the complete shutdown of the motorway between junction 1a (Crown Point, Denton) and junction 3 (Hyde town centre).
The closure will be in effect from 9 pm on Friday, August 18, until 5 am on Monday, August 21.
To facilitate the safe removal of a section of the bridge, signed diversion routes will be implemented. Motorway traffic will be diverted onto the A57 Hyde Road-Manchester Road during this period.
The demolition process, which began in June, is anticipated to take approximately four months to complete.
The project involves demolishing the bridge’s eastern side and restructuring the supporting walls to create space for a new section of the bridge. This new section will be essential for accommodating vital services, including a water main, crossing the M67.
The decision to replace the existing bridge was made after routine safety checks conducted last year revealed worsening cracks in its surface. Exploring various possibilities for major structural repairs, National Highways concluded that complete bridge replacement over the course of three years would be a quicker, safer, and more practical solution.
The existing road bridge, constructed in the mid-1970s, was closed in January, along with the junction 2 slip road adjacent to St Anne’s Church. Before commencing the demolition, United Utilities and Cadent had to redirect the area’s water, gas, and electricity supplies. In the coming autumn, two beams will be installed to support utility services, which will require additional carriageway closures on the motorway.
The dates for these closures will be publicised once confirmed.
For more information on the project, individuals can visit nationalhighways.co.uk/m67-st-annes-road-bridge, send an email to info@nationalhighways.co.uk, or contact the Customer Contact Centre at 0300 123 5000.