Weaver Viaduct
The Weaver Viaduct, in the north of Cheshire on the M56, is one of the longest concrete viaducts on the British motorway network.
Weaver Viaduct | |
|---|---|
 View, looking east towards junction 12, in May 2005 | |
| Coordinates | 53.31°N 2.71°W |
| OS grid reference | |
| Carries |  |
| Crosses | River Weaver Weaver Navigation |
| Locale | Frodsham, Cheshire |
| Maintained by | Highways England |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Box girder bridge |
| Material | Reinforced concrete |
| Total length | 3,186 ft (971 m) |
| Longest span | 222 ft (68 m) |
| No. of spans | 33 |
| No. of lanes | 3 each direction Slip roads on the eastern end |
| History | |
| Designer | Husband and Company |
| Construction start | December 1968 |
| Construction end | December 1970 |
| Construction cost | £3.2m |
| Opened | 21 February 1971 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 112,185 (2017) |
| |
History
It was built as part of the first section of the M56 North Cheshire Motorway, also initially known as the Cheshire East-West Motorway, five miles from junctions 14 Hapsford Interchange to 12 at the A557.
Design
It was designed from 1964-67[1]. It was designed by Husband and Company Consulting Engineers of Sheffield.
Construction
Work began on the eight-mile motorway in December 1968. The bridge crosses a flood plain. The construction of the five-mile motorway was completed in December 1970. The five-mile motorway opened for traffic on 21 February 1971. The section to Preston Brook at junction 11 opened in September 1971.
Structure
Due to its position, on the eastern edge of the exposed Cheshire Plain, there can be high crosswinds over the bridge, and the bridge may be closed as a result. Many high-sided vehicles have had accidents on the bridge.
It has a 222ft span over the River Weaver and a 125ft span over the Weaver Navigation. There are 30 approach spans of 90ft each.