M6 to close in both directors over a weekend for HS2 viaduct works – here’s when the motorway will shut in the West Midlands
By Daniel Walton
Copyright expressandstar
Motorists are being warned of a closure of the M6 between Junction 4 and Junction 4A, in Birmingham, to make way for another ‘viaduct slide’ manoeuvre this coming weekend (Saturday, September 27 to Sunday, September 28).
It comes as the HS2 works continue to be carried out in Birmingham, with road closures being seen over a number of weekends to make way for the development.
Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Express & Star’s free newsletter
The latest closure will see the M6 close between Junction 4 and Junction 4A on Saturday 27 to Sunday 28, with the M42 also closing at the Junction 7A link.
The road closures are reported to come into effect at 3am on Saturday, 27, and will be in place until 10pm on Sunday, 28.
The closures are due to a ‘viaduct slide’ manoeuvre, which will see two twin 320-meter-long viaducts, called the M6 South Viducts, being assembled on one side of the motorway, before being slid over the road to the opposite side.
June saw the first example of the ‘viaduct slide’, with the HS2’s East Deck Viaduct being slid 119m out over the M6 Junction 4 slip road, adjacent to the motorway.
The viaducts will ultimately carry HS2 trains over the M6 near Birmingham Airport, Birmingham Business Park and the NEC in Solihull.
Dubbed ‘frying pan technology’, the first manoeuvre in June saw the HS2 contractors use technology found on non-stick frying pans to slide the mammoth-sized structure safely over the motorway.
In June, Victoria Lazenby, National Highways regional director for the Midlands, said: “We know that any work on our roads affects drivers and local communities, and we always try to keep that disruption to a minimum.
“So we are delighted by the innovation shown by HS2 and BBV in this complex engineering feat to reduce the impact on road users.
“We will continue to work very closely with HS2 to ensure minimum disruption on our roads and are grateful to people for their patience while this major infrastructure scheme is delivered.”
