Carillion to finish £3.2m bridge over M56 by summer 2010
Carillion Construction has won a contract from the Highways Agency to build a new bridge at the Bowdon junction of the M56.
Work is expected to begin next spring and be finished in the summer. David Grunwell, Highways Agency regional director, said: "Our investigations have found that only the bridge deck has to be replaced. To do this, the old deck will need to be removed over a weekend and the new one, which will be built on land nearby, will be lifted into place a week later. Building and installing the new bridge deck in this way will ensure a minimum of disruption to traffic. To help road users plan their journeys we will keep them informed of when we plan to demolish and replace."
Bowdon View Bridge carries westbound traffic from Manchester off the M56 at junction 7, over the motorway to Bowdon roundabout and on to the A556 southbound.
In 2006 surveys revealed unexpected defects which could not be repaired. The condition of the bridge is being continuously monitored to ensure the safety of travellers.