By Bethany Ruby Rose-
Technology, between junction 10 and 18 on the final section of the M60, went live. This meant that the whole motorway between junction 8 of the M60 and junction 20 of the M62 is fully operational.There is now an extra running lane in each direction along the M62 between junctions 18 and 20. Intensive extra technology, such as CCTV cameras and electronic signs has also been added along bothM60 and M62 sections. Varying mandatory speed limits are succeeding in tackling the congestion and frustrating traffic issues that drivers often face.
Highways England senior project manager Jonathan Stokes, said:
Going ‘live’ this week marks the most significant milestone for this project. We would like to thank users of the M60 and M62 and people living around them for their patience and support over the last few years while we have worked to deliver this vital investment in what is an almost uniquely complex environment.
Although this is the first smart motorway in the North West the system has been running successfully in other parts of the country for several years – including around Leeds – and we’re confident it will deliver safer, smoother and more reliable journeys.
The completion of the project, along with the removal of the narrower lanes, has paved the way for resurfacing of sections of the M60 to begin. The resurfacing project is set to start later this month and will be carried out overnight, to avoid disruption to drivers as much as possible. Although, some road closure is to be expected. Further details on remaining work will be publicised nearer the time.
This resurfacing is just part of Highways England’s £100 million investment in maintenance work in the North West. It aims to reduce the need for further maintenance and allow drivers less disruption in the long run.
Four more smart motorway improvements worth £500 million and delivering 90 miles of extra lanes to the local motorway network are also due to be constructed during the next few years. The first of these – the M62 junction 10 to junction 12 project which will link the M6 near Warrington to the M60 near Eccles – is due to start later this month while M56 (junctions 6 to 8), M6 (junctions 21a to 26) and M62 (junctions 20 to 25) schemes are also planned.