Highways Agency

The Project

Following works to the bridge at the River Birket earlier this year near M53 Junction 1 similar surfacing failures have been discovered on the adjacent and much larger viaduct over Junction 1 at Bidston Moss, which has led in the recent past to emergency closures of the motorway at this location. The problems are linked to water penetration during periods of bad weather and passage of heavy goods vehicles, so it is important that work to address the problem is substantially completed before the worst winter months of January and February. This work is programmed to begin in mid October 2004 and be completed by the end of the year, subject to weather conditions.

Due to the geometry of the viaduct with two lanes in each direction, no hard shoulders and the need for contractors to have full access to the Chester bound bridge deck, traffic management constraints will consist of contra flow working with a lane in each direction over the Liverpool bound viaduct. Traffic capacity is being maintained by providing a second lane in each direction, through Junction 1 below the M53. Traffic flows will be disrupted and delays are expected. A 40-mile per hour speed limit over the viaduct with reduced traffic weaving and speed cameras will ensure safe manoeuvring of the opposing traffic through the contra flow section of traffic management.