DRIVERS using one of the busiest sections of motorway in the North-west will face further delays throughout the Winter.
Emergency bridge protection measures which led to the partial closure of Thelwall Viaduct on the M6 will continue until at least Spring, the Highways Agency said today.
The deterioration of an expansion roller bearing led to the closure of the old viaduct with the exception of a single lane of traffic northbound to maintain an exit to the motorway from Junction 21. Traffic is being carried on three narrow lanes on the southbound viaduct.
Since the discovery of the initial bearing, an extensive testing programme has been carried out and other bearing problems identified.
The viaduct carries the motorway over the Manchester Ship canal and is one of the busiest sections of the motorway network in the North-west used by over 150,000 vehicles per day.
The motorway is carried on two viaducts, with northbound traffic on the original viaduct opened in 1963 and refurbished in 1995, and the southbound traffic on the new viaduct, which was opened seven years ago.
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