A MAJOR Denton transport link is set to reopen later this month as National Highways confirms work on the new St Anne’s Road bridge is nearing completion.
The replacement bridge, which carries St Anne’s Road over the busy M67 motorway, is expected to open in the week ending January 25, weather permitting.
It will bring an end to a three-year construction project that began in January 2023.
National Highways has thanked residents, businesses and road users for their patience during the prolonged closure, which has been one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the borough in recent years.
Once the new bridge opens, the St Anne’s diversion route, which has been using the road by the former Penny Farthing pub, will be closed to traffic.
The original St Anne’s Road bridge was built in the mid-1970s and had reached the end of its usable life, with long-term safety concerns prompting the need for full replacement.
The £23 million project has been led by National Highways, the government-owned company responsible for England’s motorways and major A roads, working in partnership with construction firm Tilbury Douglas.
Situated next to St Anne’s Church and the nearby primary school, the bridge is a key local route and its closure has had a noticeable impact on daily travel in Denton.
National Highways has previously said the new bridge has been designed to last significantly longer than its predecessor, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance and repairs over the coming decades.
Importantly, the structure meets modern standards for carrying heavy vehicles, removing the need for the load restrictions that were in place on the old bridge. It will also allow local utility companies to renew and maintain essential pipelines that run across the bridge.
Safety improvements have also been built in, with new barriers designed to improve accessibility and protection for cyclists and pedestrians using St Anne’s Road.