ALL roadworks will soon be removed from the M6 at Knutsford, bringing an end to the 50mph speed restriction.

Highways England has confirmed that work on the new £43 million congestion-busting bridge at junction 19 is nearing completion.

Motorists have faced months of disruption during weekend and evening closures as the crossing took shape.

All motorway lanes will return to normal width and the hard shoulder will be reinstated later this month.

The bridge will span the M6 within the roundabout at junction 19 in Knutsford and is set to create safer, smoother journeys and improve access.

Highways England project manager Khalid El-Rayes, said: “The bridge is coming along well.

"Now that we have raised the ground on both sides of the motorway, joining the new bridge deck to the roundabout, we have been able to start installing the new lane surfacing.

"We’re also putting in new curbs, drainage and electric wires for new lights, which we’re doing overnight where possible to reduce disruption.

“We’re also pleased to be removing all roadworks from this section of the M6 at the end of this month, which will significantly benefit road users.”

All roadworks connected with the bridge construction will be lifted on Monday, August 23.

M6 bridge construction

Mammoth feat of engineering to construct the new bridge

This will require full or partial overnight closures from 9pm to 6am between junctions 20 and 19 on August 20, 21 and 22.

The new bridge, which will improve the connection between the M6 and A556, is expected to be open for traffic in early November.

It had been hoped it would open this summer but the pandemic caused a delay, with the scheme hampered by industry-wide product shortages and long lead times on deliveries.

new M6 bridge aerial shot

This aerial shot shows the scale of the construction

Khalid added: “Unfortunately, the impact of Covid 19 and delayed deliveries from overseas means we are behind schedule. "To minimise disruption, we will be carrying out all remaining work during overnight weekday closures of the M6 motorway or junction 19 roundabout until completion of the project in November, except for August Bank Holiday.”

Successful operations earlier this year saw dozens of huge steel beams lifted into place and concrete poured into the foundations for the bridge deck.