M6 Reopens Early After Major Rail Bridge Installed 13 Hours Ahead of Schedule

A section of the M6 between Junction 39 and Junction 40 has reopened 13 hours earlier than planned following the successful installation of a new railway bridge over the motorway.

The Clifton railway bridge near Penrith was replaced by Network Rail and contractor Skanska as part of a £60 million investment to modernise the West Coast Main Line.

On Saturday, January 10, engineers carefully manoeuvred the 130 metre long, 4,200 tonne steel structure into position with millimetre precision.

Ahead of Schedule Despite Tough Conditions

To allow the complex operation to take place, the M6 was fully closed in both directions between the two junctions during two planned 60-hour weekend closures.

Despite sub-zero temperatures and poor weather, work progressed faster than expected, allowing the motorway to reopen shortly before 4pm on Sunday, January 11, with diversion routes lifted much earlier than planned.

Last weekend’s closure also finished ahead of schedule, with both northbound and southbound carriageways reopening 70 minutes early.

The early reopening has been welcomed by motorists and haulage operators after weeks of disruption.