FOUR giant towers that will eventually support the widest lifting bridge in the country have been constructed, next to Barton Bridge on the M60.

The imposing 35-metre high towers will eventually support the deck of a lifting bridge, similar to Salford’s Centenary Bridge, which, when operational, will rise to make way for vessels as high as 20 metres passing underneath it on the region’s historic Manchester Ship Canal.

The completion of the towers is a significant landmark in the progress of the £50 million A57 improvement works that will connect the A57 from the AJ Bell Stadium junction at Peel Green, then cross the Manchester Ship Canal to link to Trafford Boulevard and the M60 via Trafford City.

As part of this major highway project, undertaken by Peel Land and Property, roundabouts at junction 10 and 11 of the M60 have been made larger as well as the Bridgewater roundabout at the entrance to intu Trafford Centre.

The road improvements will also support the development of Port Salford - a new warehousing and distribution centre for the region that will also feature the UK’s first tri-modal inland waterway port served by ship, rail and road.

James Whittaker, development director at Peel Land and Property Group, which has made a £31 million contribution to the £50m improvement scheme, said: “Independent highway studies show that this stretch of motorway is one of the busiest in the country and we’re committed to providing an additional route into Trafford City for those travelling from the A57.

"Already the extension of the roundabouts at junction 10 and 11, as well as the Bridgewater roundabout, is helping with traffic flow and the completion of the towers means we are aiming for the bridge’s construction to be complete this summer."