Drivers using junction 34 of the M6 in Lancaster are being advised of changes to the road layout and traffic light signals sequencing as part of ongoing works for the Heysham to M6 Link Road.
From 8pm on Friday 10 April to 8pm on Sunday 12 April a section of Caton Road (A683) engineers will close the road between the M6 sliproads north and south, located either side of the M6. This is to enable works on the Heysham to M6 Link Road to continue directly under the M6 motorway bridge.
Alternative Routes
Although diversion signs will be erected, it’s important drivers familiarise themselves with alternative routes, and plan their journeys ahead.
See Google map.
Motorway traffic
Motorway traffic will be diverted to the next junction depending on the direction drivers wish to travel on the M6.
For example; Traffic from north Lancaster and Morecambe wishing to go south on the M6 should go north to junction 35 at Carnforth and then turn onto the M6 South. Traffic from Caton wishing to travel north on the M6 can either go via Halton to Carnforth (junction 35) or head in the opposite direction via Quernmore initially before re-joining the M6 at junction 33 near Galgate.
Northbound traffic from Lancaster and southbound traffic from Caton should use the sliproads as normal.
Non-Motorway Traffic
Non-motorway traffic such as tractors, scooters, and learner drivers must use Low Road and Halton Road from the Crook O’Lune. Lancaster traffic bound for Caton will need to use the A6 (Slyne Road), then turn at the Skerton Triangle to Halton Road and Low Road.
During the weekend closure of Caton Road (A683), Costain will also complete service diversion works (duct crossing) across Caton Road near the Holiday Inn entrance. This work was suspended during February half-term due to increased levels of disruption caused to traffic.
Costain’s Project Director, Andrew Langley, said: “Our engineers have rescheduled this work to a time when Caton Road will be as quiet as possible. This was the plan in February half-term, but we listened to drivers complaints and suspended the works.
“The work is critical to remain on schedule in this location. We will need to use traffic light signals to control the traffic heading to and from the northbound sliproads of junction 34 on Caton Road at the same time as Caton Road being closed to through traffic under the motorway bridge.”
The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic.
Big Crane show to follow
On Monday 13 April a 1200 tonne capacity mobile crane, the Gottwald AK680-3, is due to arrive on site to be rigged over three days using 160t mobile crane (Liebherr LTM1160-5.1).
Currently the UK’s largest mobile crane, the Gottwald AK680-3 has a boom that can raise a 100 tonne weight (equivalent of a Boeing 757) to a radius of 100m.
The installation of north span beams including secondary girders will take place between Thursday 16 and Friday 27 April (inclusive). Rigged with a 89 metre main boom, 43 metre back mast and almost 600 tonnes of counterweight, the AK680 will move over 2300 tonnes of steel bridge sections each ranging from 160 to 360 tonnes.
Members of the public will be able to watch the operations from the
safety of the Lune Cycleway situated on the south bank of the River
Lune. There is only pedestrian access to the area; the
nearest parking facility is
located at Denny Beck, off Caton Road (A683). Alternatively, here are some nice pictures of a model one on YouTube.
The crane is owned and operated by the UK arm of Belgium based transport and heavy lifting specialist Sarens. The unit travels and works all over the world and has been on contracts as far afield as Thailand and Argentina.