M53 bridge repair work closes motorway
Continuing work on the supporting beams of Bidston Moss Viaduct in Wirral will mean various overnight closures for the M53 in May.
The M53 will be closed southbound from the Mersey Tunnels approach road to where the southbound entry slip road at junction 1 joins the motorway overnight between 10pm and 5pm from Monday 10 May to Thursday 13 May, and again from Thursday 20 May until Sunday 23 May.
The northbound M53 will be closed from junction 1 to the Mersey Tunnels approach road overnight between 10pm and 5am from Monday 17 May to Thursday 20 May and again from Sunday 23 May to Wednesday 26 May.
Signed diversions will be in operation. Southbound will take drivers via the Docks Link Road to the A554 roundabout, then back to the M53 via the southbound access slip road.
Northbound the diversion is via the exit slip road at junction 1, the A554 roundabout and the Wallasey Dock Link North.
The £70m scheme to strengthen the Bidston Moss Viaduct in Wirral, to allow heavier vehicles to use all lanes, got the go ahead in March after the Department for Transport said it would pay for a majority of the work.
The scheme was jointly developed by Wirral Council, Merseytravel and the Highways Agency.
Design and preparatory site work started at the beginning of 2009 and the strengthening work will be completed by spring 2012.
Costain was appointed as the contractor early last year.