Massive steel beams have been built as part of work on a new motorway bridge.
The bridge at Junction 2 near Moreton in Wirral is due to be completed this summer, but the beams now in place will allow work on it to continue without disrupting drivers for months on end.
A Highways England tweet, published earlier today, read: “The eight bridge beams are now in place at M53, J2, Moreton.
“This week we're continuing to install the temporary platform around the beams.
“The platforms will allow us to safely carry out our work to finish the bridge, while allowing motorists to use the M53 as normal.”
The original 50-year-old bridge was demolished last year due to its ageing condition, which would have required a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) weight restriction to be introduced in the future.
The southbound carriageway has been closed for several nights recently between junctions 2 and 3 due to the project.
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This closure is currently in place between 8pm and 5am and will go on until Friday. It is also in place for one day next Monday.
A diversion will take drivers along Upton bypass, the A551 (Arrowe Park Road) and the A552 (Woodchurch Road).
Drivers heading northbound will also need to leave and then re-join the motorway at junction 2 to avoid travelling under the bridge.
Temporary narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit will remain on the M53 past the bridge throughout the project.
Highways England said this is being done for the safety of drivers and workers.
Speaking about the bridge’s progress last week, Vikas Baloch, assistant project manager at Highways England, said: “Drivers travelling along the motorway over the next few months will see the bridge gradually take shape and our new temporary structure will allow us to work safely, minimising the need for overnight closures of the motorway.
“The new bridge will be suitable for all types of vehicles and we expect it to be used by hundreds of thousands of drivers over many years to come.”
