A UK motorway with the prettiest views is to undergo a major ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ facelift in refurbishment works.
National Highways has unveiled plans to replace eight bridge deck structures along a six-mile (10k) stretch of the M6 between junctions 37 and 38 through Lune Gorge near Tebay, in Cumbria.
The incredibly popular stretch of road which ferries thousands of motorists every day is set to undergo a major transformation for the first time in over 50 years with drivers warned to expect delays.
It was constructed hugging the contours of Cumbrian hills and boasts gorgeous views, LancsLive reports.
Seven of the bridges carry the M6 itself as it snakes through the gorge while an eighth carries the local A685 road over the motorway near Roundthwaite.
The bridges range from 46 metres to 142 metres in length with heights of between five and 17 metres.
In 2020 the Lune Gorge section of the motorway celebrated its 50th birthday, however, the National Highways say the bridges are now “showing their age” and a vital refurbishment programme is being planned.
Senior project manager Khalid El-Rayes said: “When this section of the M6 was opened in 1970 no-one could have predicted 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 this section of the M6 plays a key role in connecting businesses and communities across the north and beyond for decades to come.”
Road users are set to be impacted for about four years with the main construction work starting in 2027 and expected to last until winter 2030-31.
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.
