Traffic disruption warning as M42 bridge near Birmingham Airport to be demolished

Drivers are being warned of severe traffic disruption on the M42 near Birmingham Airport as a bridge over the M42 which was hit by vehicles 20 times - including twice in one week - is to be demolished 

The structure between junctions 7 (M6 J4) and 6 (Birmingham Airport) was struck by two lorries using the motorway below earlier this month. Since then the southbound carriageway has been reduced to two lanes for safety reasons.

The bridge carries the A452 over the motorway but is now only used by HS2 construction crews. It was not HS2 lorries which struck the bridge.

When is the damaged M42 bridge being demolished & when will the roads be closed?

The bridge, which has been hit some 20 times since 2014, is due to be removed under a full closure of the M42 from 9pm on Friday, 9 February to 5am on Monday, 12 February.

National Highways said that some utilities need to be diverted before that and an overhead gantry, four lighting columns, a CCTV camera and a number of roadside signal boxes need to be removed.

This will take place under full overnight closures from 9pm to 5am each weekday night, starting on Monday, 29 January. During the weekend closure for the demolition, the southbound carriageway will be closed from M42 junction 9 to junction 6, together with the link arm from M6 south to M42 south and the M6 north to M42 south arm.

 The northbound carriageway will be closed from junction 6 to 7 including the link to the M6. There will be no impact on the M6 toll. All diversion routes will be clearly signed. All dates are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers urged to seek alternative routes

Until demolition is complete road users are advised to continue to allow extra time for their journeys or seek alternative routes.

People travelling on the M6 wanting to access the M42 south, including those heading to the airport, NEC, Birmingham International station or Jaguar Land Rover, are advised to leave the M6 at junction 4 then head south on the A446 to Stonebridge Island and west on the A45 to join the M42 at junction 6.

Those already travelling southbound on the M42 could consider leaving the motorway at junction 9 and taking the A446 south to join either the M6 at junction 4 or the M42 at junction 6.

National Highways Asset Needs Manager, Greg Fernee, said: “We and our colleagues at HS2 have carried out extensive investigations since the most recent bridge strikes.  

“We have considered whether a structural repair could be carried out, but as the bridge was already due to be demolished next year, and because it has been struck so many times despite exceeding minimum headroom requirements, the safest and most cost-effective way forward is to demolish the bridge now.

“Existing lane closures will remain in place for safety reasons until that can be achieved. We understand this will be frustrating for road users, so we ask for their continued understanding and patience while we prepare to bring the bridge down in a safe and controlled way.”