M6 reopens early after new bridge installed
Network RailA section of the M6 has reopened earlier than expected after a new bridge was installed.
The Clifton railway bridge near Penrith has been replaced by Network Rail and Skanska as part of a £60m investment into the West Coast Main Line.
A road closure was put in place between junctions 39 and 40 for the duration of the weekend and the road, which was due to open at 05:00 GMT on Monday, reopened at 16:00.
Christian Irwin, Network Rail North West and Central director, said it took "hard work" from hundreds of people to install the new structure so quickly.
He said: "Our focus now turns to final bridge checks before we reinstate the tracks, overhead power lines and signalling systems so we can fully reopen the West Coast Main Line by 05:00 on Thursday."
Network RailThe motorway was also closed last weekend as the old bridge was demolished.
Some residents said the diversions "caused chaos" as the traffic ran through rural roads.
Steve Mason, National Highways programme delivery manager, said it had been the "first time in recent memory the M6 has been closed for whole weekends".
He said: "This was an incredibly complex operation and reopening the M6 13 hours early is a tremendous achievement."
Starting on Monday morning, railway teams will get to work installing new track and reconnecting overhead power lines and signalling systems over the structure.
