20th July 2022

Watch: A533 Expressway Bridge beams delivered and assembled

Timelapse footage taken during the construction of the replacement Expressway Bridge along the A533 shows the moment a series of beams weighing the equivalent of 45 elephants were delivered and assembled.

The A533 Expressway Bridge is a concrete bridge that carries the Chester Road combined with the A533 over the M56 motorway.

It’s located between junctions 11 and 12 and is a vital local link, providing access across the M56 to Runcorn from Preston Brook and Northwich.

The beams, measuring 12.5m wide, took 12 weeks to be built from cutting the plate from the rolling mill, fabrication, grit blasting and trial fitting before being transported to the project site.

AmeySRM (a joint venture between Amey and Sir Robert McAlpine) together with National Highways are replacing the existing structure with a new 67m concrete bridge, consisting of a single two-lane carriageway and a combined footpath and cycleway.

The replacement of this bridge will ensure an increased life span of over 120 years for road users, maintaining safety in the long term.

A substantial part of the project will be built off site to minimise disruption and we’ll keep the existing bridge open while we construct the new bridge.

A533 Expressway bridge beam replacement

  • Building an Infrastructure Legacy

    From the pioneering railways and viaducts of the Victorian era constructed by our founder, we continue to build on our legacy of infrastructure projects with the delivery of today’s essential highway and rail networks.

    Find out more

Latest Infrastructure news

  1. HS2 completes civil engineering works on longest tunnel

    23 Jan 2026

    The close of work on the tunnel's vent shafts brings an end to a project our Align JV began almost five years ago

    Read more about
  2. Celebrating success and sustainable engineering excellence

    23 Dec 2025

    As 2025 draws to a close, we explore key milestones, partnerships, innovative solutions and award-winning projects shaping the future of sustainable engineering and construction.

    Read more about
  3. Heroes of the highways honoured

    08 Dec 2025

    Members of our M6 and A19 teams were recognised for their acts of bravery and selflessness at the recent Highways Heroes Awards

    Read more about

Latest news

  1. Agratas celebrates milestone with topping out

    26 Mar 2026

    The team gathered to celebrate a topping out ceremony following steels completion in late January

    Read more about
  2. Attracting more military women into construction

    23 Mar 2026

    Last month, Rachael Smith, People and Culture Executive Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, and Katy Maloney, Trainee Quantity Surveyor, spoke at the Empowering You Conference with Forces Employment Charity.

    Read more about
  3. Circularity in Practice launches

    17 Mar 2026

    We are proud to be a funding signatory of this nationwide initiative inspired by His Majesty King Charles III

    Read more about
View all news