Mersey Gateway - Making connections (Revisited)
Back in August 2015 I reported on the project underway to upgrade the existing road connections that will eventually connect the M56 and A562 Speke Rd to the new bridge. At the time the sites in Runcorn and Widnes were just being prepared for work to commence. Now however a great deal have been achieved since then and some elements of the project are gearing up for completion.
In Widnes work to connect the A562 to the new bridge reached a crucial stage, in March (2016) the link which connects the current Jubilee bridge to the A533 was permanently closed. This closure was to allow engineers to begin demolition of the existing flyover which crossed Ditton Junction. Now work is underway to construct a new flyover which will take traffic over Ditton Junction and onto the new approach viaduct leading to the new bridge.
The map shows the new route traffic will take from the M56 to Liverpool.
In Widnes work to connect the A562 to the new bridge reached a crucial stage, in March (2016) the link which connects the current Jubilee bridge to the A533 was permanently closed. This closure was to allow engineers to begin demolition of the existing flyover which crossed Ditton Junction. Now work is underway to construct a new flyover which will take traffic over Ditton Junction and onto the new approach viaduct leading to the new bridge.
The images below show some of the progress which has been made to build a new road which will connect the A562 with the new bridge. To the right of the image a new junction will be constructed which will take traffic from the A557 Queensway onto the new connecting road.
To the left of the image the connecting road will join the the A562 Speak Road, in addition Ditton Junction will be remodelled, with the exiting roundabout converted into a flat traffic light junction with the a new flyover which will provide a free flow link between the A5562 and the new bridge.
The new flyover will be opened only when the new bridge is finished, therefore traffic will continue to be diverted from the Jubilee Bridge and on to the Ditton Junction roundabout until Autumn next year when the project is due for completion.
In Runcorn the travelling public will soon benefit from the completion of a major aspect of the project. Work has been underway for the past 11 months to remodel the roundabout which connects the A557 to the M56. This roundabout has been upgraded from a flat roundabout controlled by part timed traffic lights to a 'throughabout' with permanent traffic light control.
The throughabout or 'hamburger roundabout' will allow some traffic to drive through the middle of the roundabout under traffic light control, whilst other traffic navigates the roundabout itself. The new junction with extra approach lanes should vastly increase capacity and cut waiting times without the need to build an expensive grade separated junction.
The image below shows the remnants of the old Ditton Flyover still being crushed
The throughabout or 'hamburger roundabout' will allow some traffic to drive through the middle of the roundabout under traffic light control, whilst other traffic navigates the roundabout itself. The new junction with extra approach lanes should vastly increase capacity and cut waiting times without the need to build an expensive grade separated junction.
It should come as relief to many who use the junction frequently that work, at this junction at least should be complete within the next week.
The images below show the progress on the new throughabout. Road markings have already been painted and large parts of the junction have already had the final road surface applied.
For more information about the project click here
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