Viaduct beams in this month
● A GIANT set of concrete beams are to be installed by construction teams for a brand new road viaduct in Widnes with road closures planned.
A 350 tonne crawler crane will be positioned in the middle of Victoria Road to lift eight pre-cast beams into place.
The work is part of the Mersey Gateway Project and will start on Friday, January 13, when the structures will be lifted into position to form the Widnes Loops viaduct.
It will help form a new high-level road crossing that will carry traffic over the Widnes Loops junction.
A series of weekend and overnight closures are planned for Victoria Road and Waterloo Road while the work takes place to minimise disruption and to ensure the safety of pedestrians, motorists and construction workers.
Closures are to be place between 7.30pm on Friday, January 13, to 5am on Monday, January 16. Further closures are planned from 7.30pm on Friday, January 20, to 5am on Monday, January 23.
Overnight closures will be in force on Monday, January 16, Tuesday, January 17, and Wednesday, January 18, from 7.30pm to 5am.
A vehicle diversion will be in place and pedestrian access will be maintained.
A Merseylink spokesman said the Irwell Street bus stop will be fully operational with a temporary one installed on Hutchinson Street after Wandsworth Way.
Merseylink’s general manager Hugh O’Connor said: “These essential works form part of the wider construction that is happening at the Widnes Loops junction.
“Closing the road will allow us to safely construct the new road viaduct above Waterloo Road.
“As ever, the safety of pedestrians, motorists and our construction workers is our number one priority.
“We are hoping to complete the works as soon as possible in January, however as these activities are weather dependent, timings may change so I’d advise people to check the Mersey Gateway website for the latest information.”
Further closures will take place in February to allow teams to lay the concrete deck for the viaduct.