A533 Expressway bridge replacement scheme: Start of main construction work
Following the preparation work which we undertook in November 2021, we are now moving into the main construction phase of the project. Work to replace the existing A533 Expressway bridge
over the M56, between junctions 11 and 12 began on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
We plan to replace the existing structure with a new 67m two-span concrete bridge, consisting of a single two-lane carriageway and a combined footpath and cycleway. The replacement of this bridge will ensure an increased life span of over 120 years for road users, maintaining safety in the long term.
Upcoming work
Work to remove the topsoil and install the site compound will begin. This will be located on land to the south of Chester Road. In addition to this, we have provided a breakdown of upcoming activity planned on the Expressway bridge and the M56:
A533 Expressway bridge – from 4 to 14 January, we plan to carry out some investigation work.
This will be in place during off-peak hours between 9:30 and 15:30 on weekdays only. Our site team will use stop and go boards to carry out the work safely, while also maintaining access for motorists. We recommend you allow additional time and check your journey before travel.
M56 – from Monday 10 January, we will have 24-hour traffic management in place on both sides of the M56 for safety. This will include placing a 2.4km stretch of reduced speed limit of 50mph, as well as installing a temporary barrier along the hard shoulder.
To safely install the temporary barrier, lane closures are required on the following weekends:
- Eastbound carriageway – from 9pm 14 January to 6am 17 January
- Westbound carriageway – from 9pm 21 January to 6am 24 January
We will be keeping disruption to a minimum by keeping the bridge open during the work and building a large proportion of the project off-site.
Whilst we always aim to work to our schedule, unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather conditions, may mean slight changes occur at short notice.
The project team has identified the need for some full overnight carriageway closures on the M56 between junctions 11 and 12. This is an additional requirement to the other traffic management
planned
The full overnight closures are required to set up the traffic management safely in sections where there is no hard shoulder, and will take place on the following dates:
- Eastbound carriageway – from 11pm Sunday 16 January to 6am Monday 17 January
- Westbound carriageway – from 11pm Sunday 23 January to 6am Monday 24 January
You can sign up for updates or to find out further information on the project, please visit our webpage at nationalhighways.co.uk/A533BridgeReplacement. Alternatively, you can follow us on Facebook at Highways England: North-West or on Twitter @HighwaysNWEST
If you have any questions regarding the project, or you would like to receive our weekly traffic management bulletin, please email our dedicated project inbox at A533expresswaybridge@highwaysengland.co.uk Or call us on 0300 123 5000 (24-hour Customer Contact Centre).
Yours sincerely,
Chris
Christopher Redpath, CMgr MCMI
Assistant Project Manager, North West
Regional Investment Programme (RIP)
National Highways | 5th Floor | 3 Piccadilly Place | Manchester | M1 3BN
Tel: +44 (300) 470 8196 Mobile: +44 (0) 7710 120 269
Web: www.nationalhighways.co.uk