Drivers beware – there’s fIve more years of works
MORE smart motorway projects, designed to reduce congestion and reduce journey times, are planned on the M60, M62, M56 and M6.
Drivers are bracing themselves for FIVE more years of works, overnight closures and 50mph speed limits.
Another five smart motorways – which use variable speed limits, converted hard shoulders, CCTV cameras and electronic signs to control congestion – are now heading our way.
The first project is on the M62 between junctions 10 at the Croft interchange, where the M62 meets the M6 and junction 12 at the Eccles interchange.
Preparation work began in spring this year, with speed limits for works to begin introduced later this month. It is due for completion in spring 2020.
As the current M6 works between junction 16 near Crewe and junction 19 near Knutsford finish in spring next year, more still start.
That work will see the installation of a smart motorway between junctions 21a, at the M62 near Warrington, to junction 26 of the M6, at the M58 near Skelmersdale.
The work is due to be finished by spring 2021.
Work on the M56 – from junctions 6 to 8, near Manchester Airport, will start in spring next year and finish in spring 2020.
Back on the M62, work on the link between junctions 20 and 25 are set for a start date of March 2020. This is for a smart motorway with the hard shoulder converted into an extra lane. It will come at a cost of £283.2m to £392.3m. A completion date is yet to be confirmed.
With a start date delayed from early next year to 2020/2021, the M60 is due for a smart motorway between junction 24 through Stockport to junction 4 at Cheadle. This is now due for completion in 2022/2023.