The M6 through Lune Gorge in Cumbria ferries thousands of motorists back and forth from work each day – with many commuters reliant on the safe functioning of its seven highway bridges during rush hour.
Any disruption caused by an upcoming extensive replacement project is likely, as a result, to be widespread, but National Highways say it’s an unavoidable measure for a road network that is “rapidly reaching the end of [its] serviceable life”.
Eight bridge decking structures on the major motorway between junction 37 for Killington and junction 38 for Tebay will be replaced between 2025 and 2031, the highway agency has confirmed.
The six-mile stretch, will celebrated its 50th birthday in 2020, has seen huge increases in traffic volume since the 1970s, leaving it in a state rapidly approaching deterioration, a spokesperson said.
“It’s not always obvious that this section of motorway runs on a series of huge bridges, ranging from 46 to 142 metres in length and 5 to 17 metres in height,” they said. “We know millions of people rely on the M6 for business, leisure and visiting friends and family. It’s important we do this work now to remove the risk of unplanned closures due to deterioration.
“This will ensure the M6 continues to connect the region and helps it to thrive for decades to come. Upgrading these bridges now helps avoid the higher costs associated with unplanned maintenance and extensive repairs.”
Preparation for the replacement work is due to begin next year before construction commences in 2027, according to HighwaysIndustry.com, with the project estimated for completion in 2030 or 2031.
Highways teams are hoping to minimise the impact on regular road users by introducing a contraflow system, using the hard shoulder to move vehicles along, GB News reports. The government-owned company hasn’t publicly disclosed the total cost of the project.
Alongside seven bridges carrying the M6 through Cumbria, one carrying vehicles along the A685 will also be affected.
Khalid El-Rates, National Highways’ Senior Project Manager, told HighwaysIndustry.com: “The bridges that carry the M6 and A685 over the Lune Gorge in Cumbria are rapidly reaching the end of their serviceable life.
“When this section of the M6 was opened in 1970, no one could have perdicted the huge rise in domestic and commercial traffic, with thousands of cars, coaches, vans and HGVs now pounding the motorway daily.”
“That huge volume of traffic has taken its toll, but this project will ensure [that] this section of the M6 plays a key role in connecting businesses and communities across the north and beyond for decades to come,” he added.
