Construction commencing for Mersey gateway project

Work is now starting on the road links that will connect to the new 6126 Mersey Gateway Bridge, close to the UK city of Liverpool. The first work is being carried out at Junction 12 of the M56 in Runcorn, with workers commencing site clearance at the roundabout where the motorway joins the Weston Point Expressway (A557). This will take around six months to complete, with much of the work being carried out during off-peak traffic times so as to minimise congestion and this portion of the project should be finished by April 2015. While the project is being carried out, a 64km/h (40mph) speed limit will be implemented so as to ensure safety for construction personnel and this will be enforced for the next 42 months. To allow access to the site by workers, traffic management will be in place, with intermittent off-peak closures of lane one of all approaches to the roundabout. Once complete, the junction will provide a faster link between the M56 motorway and the new main route through Runcorn to the Mersey Gateway Bridge. The project will offer a series of economic, transport and social benefits to the region when it opens in 2017. Both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be tolled but will be free to all residents.