Drivers using the M6 in Lancashire are being advised that important wear and tear repairs to two bridges between junction 32 and junction 33 have been paused this week to avoid clashing with overnight work to deliver a new junction along the M55.
The M55 is closed nightly this week (tonight, tomorrow and Thursday nights) between junction 1 and junction 3 as the new junction 2 – part of Lancashire County Council’s larger Preston Western Distributor Road scheme – takes shape. National Highways is funding the construction of the new junction through its growth and housing fund.
The £1.7 million bridge repairs project along the M6 is delivering a permanent repair to recurring potholes in the motorway carriageways on Whittingham Lane and Stubbins Lane bridges between junction 32 and junction 33.
It will resume fully on Sunday (9 October) with around four weeks of frequent, 9pm to 5am, full closures of the southbound M6 between junction 33 and junction 32 – with a diversion using the parallel southbound A6 via junction 33 and junction 1 of the M55. On occasion, drivers will be able to use the hard shoulder to pass the roadworks at night. When the southbound carriageway is totally closed it will be signed on electronic variable messages signs (VMS).
At all other times two narrowed lanes will be open to drivers along the southbound carriageway – with no daytime carriageway closures during the week or at weekends.
National Highways is urging drivers using the motorway overnight to use the official diversion route via the southbound A6 from junction 33. Drivers are also advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional Twitter feed.
Work to refurbish the two bridge decks started in September and includes full re-waterproofing, concrete repairs and the replacement of bridge joints – mechanisms which allow the bridges to expand and contract safely during changes in the weather.
A new central reservation safety barrier will also be constructed on each bridge alongside new surfacing, white lining and road studs.
More information about the project is available at: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/north-west-maintenance-schemes/
More information about the Preston Western Distributor project is available here: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/strategies-policies-plans/roads-parking-and-travel/major-transport-schemes/preston-western-distributor/
