Smart motorway progress update
WORK IS well underway to convert a stretch of the M1 near Loughborough into a smart motorway, with more than 460,000 working hours already clocked up by construction teams.
Since work started back in March, the £120m upgrade between junctions 23a for Diseworth, junction 24 for Kegworth and junction 25 for Risley has also seen 120,000 tonnes of soil moved along with the removal of six overhead gantries.
The motorway will be converted into a smart motorway between junctions 23a for Diseworth and junction 24 for Kegworth, with the hard shoulder open to traffic during busy times and the introduction of variable speed limits.
Work will also take place to permanently convert the hard shoulder into a fourth lane between junctions 24 for Kegworth and junction 25 for Risley to improve journey times and ease congestion.
Drivers currently experience congestion and delays at busy periods and traffic is predicted to increase, particularly with the growth expected at East Midlands Airport.
As part of the work, Highways England will upgrade a total of 7.5miles (12km) of the motorway in both directions. The work is due for completion in winter 2018.
The scheme will also introduce new CCTV cameras, and electronic information signs and signals on gantries - these will show the variable mandatory speed limits and manage traffic flow and incidents.
Work in both directions along north and southbound verges continues, which consist of tree clearance, earthworks, drainage, reenforced concrete works and the start of installation of technology.
Highways England assistant project manager, Nick Robinson, said: “As the scheme moves into the winter months, crews will be working in both verges only, following successful completion of the central reserve work with the first five miles of concrete central reserve barrier installation, and all other associated work achieved.
“We’re working around the clock to get all other works completed as quickly as we can.”
Elsewhere, motorists are also being reminded that there are some restrictions in place on the M1 between junction 24 for Kegworth to A453/ A42 Finger Farm Roundabout (near East Midlands Airport) while development work starts on the East Midlands Gateway scheme.
For more information about the smart motorway upgrade visit http://roads.highways.gov.uk/projects/ m1- junctions- 23a- to25-smart-motorway/