Final M67 weekend closure for next phase in £23m bridge replacement works

Four pairs of huge steel beams with a combined weight of more than 250 tonnes will be installed in the next major phase of a £23 million National Highways project to replace a motorway bridge in Greater Manchester.

The braced beams, each pair weighing up to 65 tonnes, will support the new bridge deck, on which vehicles run.

The ageing St Anne’s Road bridge, in Denton, crosses the M67 and is being replaced due to long-term safety concerns. The new bridge will allow unrestricted access for all road users at the location, including eastbound access to the M67.

The bridge also carries vital utility services including water, gas, electricity and telecommunications, connecting customers across a wide part of Greater Manchester. Work to re-route these services was completed earlier.

Mangat Bansal, National Highways’ Programme Delivery Manager, said:

“This final weekend closure will allow our teams to safely install the eight steel beams which will carry the new bridge across the motorway.

“It is imperative we keep the travelling public and our workforce safe. To achieve this, we need to close the motorway for the weekend to allow for the heavy machinery needed to undertake this work to be brought in.

“We always strive to minimise disruption, although regretfully delays to journeys are expected. We therefore advise everyone to plan before they travel and allow extra time. We apologise for any inconvenience this work will cause and thank people for their support and patience while we continue our work.”

The latest phase in the project follows final demolition works of the old bridge at the end of last year.

That work saw the successful demolition of the main bridge deck and removal of upper sections of the abutment walls – the supporting structures at either side of the bridge.

Further work has been ongoing to modify the abutment walls and lay the groundwork for the installation of the new steel beams.