A SECTION of the M67 motorway will be closed for two more weekends as part of the next phase to replace the St Anne’s Road bridge in Denton.
National Highways are currently undertaking a £23 million project, which is due to be completed in 2026.
Work to replace the ageing bridge that crosses the busy motorway began in January last year and is ‘progressing well’, according to the government company responsible for the country’s motorways and main A roads.
Two huge steel beams, weighing a combined 97 tonnes, were installed in February to carry utility services such as water, gas, electricity and telecommunications to households across Greater Manchester.
That has enabled the next phase to begin – which involves demolishing the main bridge deck, on which vehicles run, and the supporting structures at either side.
National Highways say the motorway needs to be shut in both directions between Junction 1A at Denton and Junction 3 at Hyde for the safety of road users and the workforce.
This will happen between 9pm on Friday, October 4, to 5am on Monday, October 7, as well as from 9pm on Friday, November 8, to 5am on Monday, November 11.
Two huge excavators, with long-reach arms and fitted with hydraulic jaws, will operate from the motorway level to remove the deck – one situated on each carriageway.
National Highways say the second weekend closure is required for the removal of the abutment walls, which support the ends of the bridge.
Motorists are already being warned to plan ahead if they need to travel, with disruption expected.
Mangat Bansal, National Highways’ Programme Delivery Manager, said: “Preparations for the next phase of works have gone well. Following the installation of the beams, all utilities across the bridge have been connected to existing networks without disruption to customers, so we are now able to demolish the bridge deck.
“It is imperative we keep the travelling public and our workforce safe. To achieve this, we need to close the motorway for the two weekends to allow for the heavy machinery needed to undertake this work to be brought in.
“We always strive to minimise disruption to customers, although regretfully, delays to journeys are expected over the weekends. We are advising everyone to plan before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journey. We apologise for any inconvenience this work will cause.
“We would again like to thank the local community, including road users, for their support and patience while we continue our work to provide the new bridge.”
More information about the project and diversion routes can be found on the National Highways website at https://www.nationalhighways.co.uk/m67-st-annes-road-bridge