National Highways is planning to replace eight bridge deck structures along the spectacular six-mile section near Tebay
One of the most iconic sections of M6is set to get a significant 'once-in-a lifetime facelift'.
National Highways is planning to replace eight bridge deck structures along the spectacular six-mile section of the M6 through Lune Gorge in Cumbria, between junction 37 and junction 38 of the motorway at Tebay. A bridge deck is the surface of a bridge where vehicles travel and a key structural element of the bridge itself.
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 huge bridges range from 46 metres to 142 metres in length with heights of between 5 metres and 17 metres.
The Lune Gorge section of the motorway celebrated its 50th birthday in 2020 but the bridges are now showing their age and a major refurbishment programme is being planned. National Highways is looking to carry out some preparation work next year before main construction work gets under way in 2027.
It will also be staging a series of ‘meet the team’ events in 2025 to keep local people informed about the project – building on months of work which has already taken place to engage with local communities, including parish councils.
Khalid El-Rayes, National Highways’ Senior Project Manager, said: “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 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.”
National Highways said future-proofing the M6 now will enhance safety for motorway users and reduce the cost and disruption of unplanned maintenance and emergency repairs as the bridges wear and tear and further deteriorate. It has already appointed a lead contractor, Kier, to deliver the work and deliver designs focusing on minimising inconvenience to motorway users and people living alongside the motorway.
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