Expressway works trigger months of misery for motorists

LONG RUNNING roadworks come into effect today which are set to cause months of misery for motorists heading in and out of Birmingham towards the M6.

The work which begins on the A38 (M) Aston Expressway today is expected to last until Christmas.

Highways England has been working with Birmingham City Council to minimise the impact of the work but major disruption is expected.
The work is needed to repair the viaduct after more than 40 years of continuous – and ever-growing – traffic volumes.

The agency has said it is impossible to assess the damage to the concrete sections supporting the viaduct until the closures are in place and the existing road surface removed.

A statement issued by Highways England said that the road had effectively reached the end of its working life and because of its importance the work had to be carried out to ensure the viaduct was protected for years to come.

It said if the work was not carried out now then rain water would cause more cause more damage to the structure: corroding the steel reinforcement bars and causing damage to the concrete itself.

Leaving it alone was not an option and would mean bigger and more disruptive roadworks in future.

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