Thelwall Viaduct: Difference between revisions
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://ukmotorwayarchive.org The Motorway Archive website] |
* [http://ukmotorwayarchive.org The Motorway Archive website] |
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Revision as of 14:47, 31 October 2012
Thelwall Viaduct | |
|---|---|
 Thelwall Viaduct | |
| Coordinates | 53°23′26″N 2°30′21″W / 53.3906°N 2.5059°W |
| Carries | M6 |
| Crosses | Manchester Ship Canal River Mersey |
| Locale | Thelwall, Warrington, England |
| Official name | Thelwall Viaduct |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Girder Bridge |
| Total length | 4,414 ft (1345.4 m) north-bound 4,500 ft (1371.6 m) south-bound |
| Longest span | 336 ft (102.4 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | First bridge 1963 Second bridge 1995 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | None |
| Location | |
 | |
The Thelwall Viaduct (grid reference SJ664883) is a steel composite girder viaduct in Thelwall, Warrington, England. It carries the M6 motorway across the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey. Its location on the motorway network is between junctions 20 and 21 of the M6, the former being also known as junction 9 of the M56.
It actually comprises two entirely separate bridges, one of 4,414 feet long carrying the northbound carriageway, which was the longest motorway bridge in England when it was opened in July 1963, and one 4,500 feet long carrying the southbound carriageway which was opened in 1995.[1] The longest single span is the one of 336 feet crossing the ship canal.[1]
In July 2002 a failed roller bearing was discovered and it became necessary to close all but one northbound lane. As the M6 at the time carried an estimated 150,000-160,000 vehicles per day, this led to serious congestion.[2] The viaduct was not completely reopened to daytime traffic until February 2005, and subsequently remained partially closed at night for further remedial work to take place.[3] In all, 148 bearings were replaced, with the repair scheme costing around £52 million.[citation needed]
Given the bridge's height and openness to the elements it has frequently been the subject of speed reductions due to strong gusts of wind that badly affect the stability of high sided vehicles. On several occasions lane closures have resulted as a consequence of articulated vehicles simply being blown over. However, the open sides of the bridge are a deliberate design feature to reduce the likelihood of snow drifts building on the carriageways.
In April 2011 the bridge was the site of a massive Freeparty, with reportedly over 5000 ravers in attendance. [4]
External links
References
- ^ a b M6 Warrington to Preston (J20 to J29), accessed on 4 August 2012
- ^ David Jamieson Written Answers, 14 April 2003 col. 600W Transport - Thelwall Viaduct
- ^ "BBC News: M6 viaduct reopen after repairs". 7 February 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
- ^ "This is Cheshire; Ravers take over Thelwall Viaduct". 4 April 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
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