2-847-766 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

A view of the construction of Section A of the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), showing a team of workers lowering one of the two 75ft long, 22-ton steel girders into position at the Stafford/Wolverhampton railway bridge (Bridge 302) with a steam engine passing on the railway line below. This photograph was published in May 1961 in Laing's monthly newsletter 'Team Spirit'. The work on the Birmingham to Preston Motorway (M6), between junctions J13 to J16 started in June 1960 and was carried out by John Laing Construction Ltd. Section A was 51/4 miles in length between Dunston and Whitgreave. This bridge is located at grid reference SJ9253218880.