Highways Agency gets smart with £267M project

Highways Agency gets smart with £267M project

Consultation has started on a Highways Agency £267M plan for a ‘smart motorway’ project using the latest transport technology to cut congestion and journey times on one of the country’s most heavily trafficked sections of road.

 

The scheme would improve a 17 mile stretch of motorway between junction 8 of the M80 and junction 20 of the M62 in Greater Manchester and should get under way in summer next year with completion in two years. The estimated project cost is in the range £190M to £267M.

 

The project will use the latest ‘intelligent transport systems to monitor traffic flow, provide up-to-date traffic information to road users and using variable speed limits indicated on overhead gantries to help ease congestion. Over 300 new signs would be installed as part of the scheme, along with 50 new CCTV cameras that will be used to monitor traffic at the agency’s Regional Control Centre at Newton-le-Willows on Merseyside.

 

To increase capacity hard shoulder running will also be used on a five mile stretch of the M62 between junctions 18 and 20, increasing the number of lanes on each side of the motorway to four, with emergency refuges provided on these sections. Overhead signs will alert motorists about lane closures and incidents and allow lanes to be cleared to allow emergency services through.  

 

Following environmental impact assessment lane capacity might also be increased between junctions 8 and 15 of the M60 where the motorway narrows to two lanes in some parts.

 

The Highways Agency says a similar recently completed scheme on the M62 near Leeds is making journeys better and reducing congestion. Jacqui Allen, Senior Project Manager at the Highways Agency said: ‘More than 180,000 vehicles use the section of motorway between junction 8 of the M60 and junction 20 of the M62 every day, causing heavy congestion and unpredictable journey times. The new smart motorway will help tackle these issues as well as improving safety on the network.’

 

Image: Highways Agency

Please rate

Comments 

Name
Email
  Ctrl + Enter

Most Read

Construction of £45m Ash bridge starts this month

Construction of £45m Ash bridge starts this month

VolkerFitzpatrick starts work this month on a £44.5m bridge construction project in Surrey.   Guildford Borough Council appointed VolkerFitzpatrick in July as main contractor for a long-planned bridge over a railway line next to Ash station.   Construction of the Ash Road Bridge

Four companies win £360m Yorkshire Highways Alliance deal

Four companies win £360m Yorkshire Highways Alliance deal

Four contractors have secured spots on a major works framework covering highways and transportation projects in Yorkshire   Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, Farrans and John Sisk will deliver projects valued over £7m.   The framework firms will be used by Leeds Council and the wider

Barhale JV wins Dewsbury sewage works upgrade

Barhale JV wins Dewsbury sewage works upgrade

Works at the Dewsbury plant are designed to ensure phosphorus concentrations in the final effluent meet water industry national environment programme targets for England.   The project forms part of Yorkshire Water’s £500m investment in phosphorous removal to meet

This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of these cookies. See our Cookie Policy.