Update on A53 flyover work
Following on from our story last week regarding the current work on the A53 flyover, Stoke on Trent City Council have issued the following updated statement today :-
As a result of works on site at the end of last week, we have now received detailed information from bridge maintenance specialists with regards to work needed to be completed on the A53 flyover.
Road users may have
noticed we weren’t on site during the day on Friday, but much work is
progressing and we can now explain what work will take place.
The bridge is supported by two steel expansion joints that sit above the two
columns that link the overhead carriageway. On one side of one of the joints,
on the northbound lane heading towards Cobridge, a minor fracture has occurred
between the resin that holds the joint in place and the Tarmac road surface.
The cause of this defect is not confirmed, but it could be related to
improvements needed to a waterproofing course.
We are very mindful that this road is on a busy commuter route, and of the need
to ensure that traffic flows. This is balanced against our priority to ensure
the safety of all road users.
As such, we can confirm a series of interim works will take place that will
ensure the road can reopen fully and safely. This will involve resurfacing a
large section of the carriageway, replacing a section of the joint with a new
steel section which will be supported and filled to ensure the road surface and
joint is fully repaired and watertight.
The specialist contractors needed to complete this work are responsible for carrying out bridge maintenance, repairs and emergency works on the M5 and M6. Given this, we have made arrangements so that they can be on site on the A53 as early as possible, from tomorrow. It is anticipated this work could take at least two days to complete, and we hope that the road will be fully open as soon as possible before the end of next week.
We will return to the flyover later in the summer to carry out a full programme of works. This will be during the school holidays, when there is less demand on the road, and will be planned to give motorists as much notice as possible, with the potential to do the work in the evening and overnight to keep any disruption to a minimum.
