M6 Junction 19 link bridge opening delayed until November
National Highways said global materials shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic had led to the three-month delay on the Cheshire project.
The scheme was originally supposed to complete in August.
Complications from Covid included an entire team of drainage installers having to self-isolate. Traffic signal poles coming from Holland were delayed as pandemic guidelines in that country changed.
The international chip shortage, caused by factories closing because of the pandemic and two factory fires, also impacted the project. The shortage meant it was harder to get the materials National Highways needed for traffic signal controllers.
Compounding all of this was the blockage of the Suez Canal by the Ever Given cargo ship in March. The shutting down of one of the world’s busiest waterways for six days meant considerable delays for global supply chains, including those impacting the construction industry. That just increased the delays the M6 link bridge project was facing.
- READ MORE: Industry battles to weather materials storm
As work continues on the site, the M6 Junction 19 roundabout and M56 Junction Seven West exit will be closed from 9pm to 6am every Monday to Friday until construction is complete. That same area will also be closed from 9pm 17 September until 6am 20 September for resurfacing.
Amey is the lead contractor on the project, which National Highways estimates will end up costing between £31m and £66m.
Sounds like there is a few excuses getting chucked in there.
And the site agents cat got lost which meant he was late into work one morning.
By Bob
All good excuses, and will be passing on to the kids when their homework is late. Beats “the dog ate it”
By Dave
Costs between £31MM and £61MM, #wtf, don’t they know
By Rich X
Glad its not just me who could not believe such utter rubbish . Suez canal to the unbelievable might cost between £31- £61. Heads should role but no doubt nothing will happen we will just continue to suffer the huge inconvenience of the work and pay the bill at the end.
By Anonymous