Thelwall Viaduct, Cheshire

The Thelwall Viaduct carries some 150,000—160,000 vehicles per day as the M6 motorway spans the Manchester Ship canal in Cheshire.

In July 2002 all but one lane of the northbound viaduct was closed following the discovery of 136 failed roller bearings vital to the bridges expansion and contraction. This stretch of the M6 near Warrington became notorious for traffic jams and long tailbacks as two years of work progressed to replace all the bearings. The viaduct was fully re-opened in February 2005 after the £52m project was completed months ahead of schedule.

Roadworks: Photographs and Words