Fire damage closes bridge over UK's M1 motorway

Following a fire at a scrapyard under the motorway (one of Britain’s busiest) in April, extensive investigation, assessment and structural reinforcement work has taken place non-stop.
February 22, 2012 Read time: 1 min
A UK Highways Agency photograph shows the metal support structure below the M1 after the fire damage. (David Townend Photography).
WHILE ALL three lanes in both directions are now open between junctions 1 and 4 on the M1 motorway, north of London, UK, further closures will be required.

Following a fire at a scrapyard under the motorway (one of Britain’s busiest) in April, extensive investigation, assessment and structural reinforcement work has taken place non-stop.

An 80km/hour speed limit is in force over the viaduct for safety reasons.

The 1441 UK Highways Agency says that it is likely there will be a need for further closures to enable permanent repair work to be undertaken. This will be planned to minimise disruption as far as possible.
Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • The Highways Agency aims to address workzone crashes
    April 10, 2013
    The UK’s Highways Agency is telling drivers to take extra care and to stick speed limits at roadworks, to prevent deaths and injuries among both road users and road workers. Eight road workers have been killed in the last three years while improving and maintaining the strategic road network in England. In addition there are many near misses, with members of the public driving through coned off areas or colliding with works vehicles. The UK Government is investing additional funding in road improvements acr
    Read More
  • Installation underway of first UK M4/M5 ‘superspan’ gantries
    July 4, 2012
    The installation is underway of the first superspan gantries on the M4/M5 managed motorway scheme. The existing gantries and infrastructure were successfully removed last month while the new steel gantries were being constructed, fitted-out and tested at a dedicated facility located near junction 17 of the M5, before being delivered to the works site. A total of 33 new overhead gantries, a number of which span 50m and weigh over 30tonnes, will be installed along the new managed motorway section up until T
    Read More
  • Italian viaduct job for Conjet
    July 4, 2012
    The multi-span reinforced concrete viaduct at Torano, about 100km east of the Italian capital Rome, is a major structure on the main E80/A24/A25 Autostrada crossing central Italy. The Viadotto Fiume Salto was opened in the late 1960s, but the use of de-icing salts during winter months has since caused considerable calcium chloride damage to the structure forcing the Italian Highways Authority and the Autostrada di Parchi's owner Toto to carry out extensive repairs. The renovation estimated at around €5 mill
    Read More
  • Key expressway route through Hunter Valley
    November 11, 2013
    Australia’s Hunter Valley will benefit from a new high speed expressway, which is currently under construction - Simon Gould reports Located two hours north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales is one of Australia’s largest producers of coal and wine. With international demand, particularly from Asia, for both continuing to increase, a significant upgrade of infrastructure was required between the region and the port of Newcastle, the world’s largest coal export port. However the strict en
    Read More

Highlighted Content