The operation ‘went like a dream’ with motorway opening a full eight hours ahead of schedule.
The work is part of a US$1.4 billion upgrade for the tram system. Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail are working in joint venture to deliver the extensive civil and rail infrastructure elements of the programme, with Thales UK providing the electrical engineering works.
The new bridge will be a critical element of the extension to Manchester Airport from the city centre.
“We’ll have to do it all again in a few weeks time as a second bridge is installed over the M56, also as part of the Metrolink expansion programme, but our success with the initial job has filled us with confidence and hope for a smooth job second time round,” said consortium project director Bryan Diggins of Laing O’Rourke.
Councillor Andrew Fender, chair of Transport for Greater Manchester’s transport committee, said: “I’d like to congratulate all those involved in this impressive construction feat, particularly the Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail teams, for getting the work done so quickly and smoothly. An enormous amount of planning clearly went into ensuring this superstructure could be installed with the least amount of inconvenience to road users – both in the design of the bridge and the execution of the road closures. That planning has paid off and a major step forward taken in bringing tram services to Wythenshawe and the Airport.”
