12th Jun 2023

VIP opening for new A533 Expressway Bridge

The opening of Cheshire’s new £27 million A533 Expressway bridge over the M56 near Runcorn has been celebrated with a VIP tree planting ceremony.

National Highways’ newest bridge, linking businesses and communities on both sides of the motorway opened to traffic in April and a delicate operation to demolish and remove the old bridge was completed last month during two weekend closures of the motorway.

On Friday 9th June, the completion of the 18-month project was marked by local MP for Weaver Vale Mike Amesbury planting a sapling on the northern side of the new bridge. 

“I am delighted to help celebrate the completion of the A533 new bridge project today.  I have constituents on both sides of the motorway and I know the new bridge will be crucial in allowing the A533 road to connect friends and families, commuters and businesses for many years to come.

“It’s great to see the project completed on time and I would like to thank and congratulate National Highways and all the firms involved in the construction for that.”

The new, 67-metre, two-span concrete bridge, consisting of a single two-lane carriageway and a combined footpath and cycleway, secures the primary A533 road link between Runcorn and Northwich. The deck for the new bridge was built in a field on the southern side of the motorway and during a weekend closure of the M56 in November was carefully wheeled along the carriageway and lifted into place onto newly-constructed concrete piers.

The old bridge, sandwiched between the new one and the prominent arched bridge carrying the West Coast main railway line over the motorway, was near the end of its life.  The old bridge was located right alongside the new bridge making its demolition one of the more challenging aspects of the project and it now features in a new National Highways video.

Senior officials from National Highways and project lead contractors AmeySRM also attended the event.

Stewart Jones, National Highways’ major projects director for the North West, said:

“National Highways is committed to investing in the people who live and work alongside the motorway network. We are pleased we’ve been able to deliver the project, including the tricky demolition of the old bridge on time with the new bridge now open for nearly two months and future-proofing connectivity over the M56 for many years to come.

“Over the last 18 months we have worked hard to minimise disruption to people using the bridge and motorway but would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience especially during last month’s motorway closures for the bridge demolition.”

Some overnight finishing work is taking place on the bridge this month. Anyone seeking more information on this or the wider project can visit a dedicated project webpage.

The demolition of the old A533 (M56) Expressway bridg

Latest Infrastructure news

  1. Construction of Britain’s longest rail bridge completed

    11 Sept 2025

    Our Align JV has completed civil engineering works on HS2's Colne Valley Viaduct

    Read more about
  2. Significant HS2 milestone as Chiltern Tunnel complete

    07 Aug 2025

    The construction of the 10-mile tunnel by our Align JV finishes ahead of schedule

    Read more about
  3. Colne Valley Viaduct scoops two NCE Bridges awards

    05 Aug 2025

    Iconic structure forms part of the HS2 project being constructed by our Align JV

    Read more about

Latest news

  1. Apply for new Strong Foundations Grants

    01 Oct 2025

    Applications for grants are open to charities and grassroots initiatives in the communities we work in

    Read more about
  2. SRM celebrates completion of Bamburgh Clinic

    30 Sept 2025

    The redeveloped 54-bed facility will improve mental health facilities for service users in the North East

    Read more about
  3. Celebrating our a real lifesaver, Aditya

    26 Sept 2025

    Last year, Aditya Mandapati intervened to administer CPR after witnessing a cardiac arrest while waiting for a bus and saved a man's life.

    Read more about
View all news