Motorists advised to be aware of major new expressway diversion in Runcorn
Motorists are being advised of amajor new road diversion in Runcornas work progresses towards the construction of the new Mersey Gateway bridge.
The southbound slip road from the A533 Central Expressway to Weston Link at the Lodge Lane junction will be permanently closed from Monday, July 27 as part of the ongoing changes to the road layout in and around the town.
When the project work is completed in 2017, the main traffic route will flow uninterrupted from the Central Expressway to Weston Link and on to the M56 Junction 12. This will provide a faster and more straightforward route than at present.
The official diversion, marked with a hollow diamond symbol, will take drivers north up the Central Expressway on to the Bridgewater Expressway and around the Weston Point Expressway, back to Weston Link.
The diversion route will be clearly signposted for motorists to follow.
Hugh O'Connor, General Manager of Merseylink, said he appreciated the diversion would add some distance and time to motorists' journeys, but said it could not be avoided at this stage of the project.
He said he was grateful for the patience motorists had shown throughout the various stages of disruption.
"The southbound slip road at Lodge Lane must be closed as we continue on with our plans to upgrade and improve the road layout in preparation for opening the Mersey Gateway to the public in 2017," said Hugh.
"We appreciate this will inconvenience people and the diversion in place will add travel time onto journeys, but it is necessary to allow the team to carry out essential work.
"I must point out that while this slip road will never re-open, the main traffic flow that connects these two areas will be substantially improved by the end of the project as it will be part of the main route to the bridge.
"I'd like to urge everyone driving through Runcorn to follow the reduced speed limits, as this will allow you time to understand the diversion signs and therefore follow the right route to your destination."
The £1.86 billion Mersey Gateway Bridge will open in 2017, connecting the towns of Widnes and Runcorn across the River Mersey.
It will relieve congestion around Halton, help to regenerate the area and will create thousands of direct and indirect permanent jobs across the north west.
For more information on other ongoing road works, visit:www.merseygateway.co.uk/down-your-street/
ENDS
The information provided here is an overview of planned work and therefore subject to change.
The team may have to put in place overnight road closures or diversions at short notice due to emergency situations, and these may not be detailed here, but it is our aim to provide information that is as up to date as possible.
The economic, transport and social benefits the project will bring to the region include:
470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction
4,640 permanent direct and indirect jobs
£61.9 million a year in Gross Value Added from the new jobs by 2030.
When it opens in 2017, both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be tolled, but they will be free* to all Halton residents.
For further information please contact Karen Westcott or Chris Taylor at DTW on 01287 610404 / 07545 210067 / 07949 287356 or emailKaren@dtw.co.ukorchris@dtw.co.uk.
Editors Notes:
About the project
The Mersey Gateway Project will be one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the UK over the coming years. The Mersey Gateway Project has been identified as one of the UK government's Top 40 priority projects in theNational Infrastructure Planand it has been recognised by KPMG as one ofthe‘Top 100 infrastructure projects around the globe'.
Its features will include:
a 1,000m long cable stay bridge consisting of four spans supported from three towers in the estuary;
a unique design where the 80m high central tower will be shorter than the two outer towers, which will be 110m (north tower) and 125m (south tower);
a total length (including the bridge and approach viaducts) of 2.13km;
a deck carrying six lanes of traffic (three in each direction) with a speed limit of 60mph;
up to 30 supporting piers carrying it across the approach viaducts; and
a curved approach at each end of the bridge giving varying views of its unique design and maximising its visual impact.
*Residents of Halton will need to register to use the bridges and there will be a small charge for this.
You can find out more about the project atwww.merseygateway.co.uk.
About the Merseylink consortium
The Merseylink Consortium was appointed by Halton Borough Council as the project company in 2014 on a 30-year contract to design, build, finance and operate the project.
Its equity partners are Macquarie Capital Group Limited, BBGI, and FCC Construcción. The construction joint venture, is made up of Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Limited, Samsung C&T Corporation and FCC Construcción S.A.
Sanef S.A. will deliver and operate the tolling solution for the consortium.