A £3.7m National Highways scheme to improve safety for motorists and reduce future disruption along part of the M60 at Irwell Valley starts this month. The work involves replacing the central reservation steel fence with a concrete safety barrier.
The new barrier will improve safety for drivers by reducing the risk of vehicle crossover, and require less maintenance work, lessening the potential for future disruption. The new barrier is being installed between Junction 16 (Clifton Interchange) and Junction 18 (Simister Island).
For the safety of the workforce and the travelling public, National Highways is installing 24-hour narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit in both directions. Occasional overnight lane closures may be required. Work will start on Monday (12 May) and be completed by the end of August.
National Highways Programme Manager Ross Hepburn said:
“This scheme will improve safety and bring long-term benefits for those who use this section of motorway. We always strive to minimise disruption, but we are advising everyone to plan before they travel and allow extra time while we complete these important works.”
National Highways is coordinating works to fit with the planned resurfacing of the slip roads at Junction 17 later this summer, including Bury Council’s work to resurface the junction roundabout.
These works will require overnight closures of the junction for three weeks from Monday 16 June to Friday 4 July. Plus, there will be two separate nighttime closures for initial drainage investigation works, provisionally Tuesday 13 May and Tuesday 27 May.
On behalf of Bury Council, Councillor Alan Quinn, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change said:
“Junction 17 is a major roundabout interchange, crucial to connecting the motorway network with
regional roads in the Bury borough. Our resurfacing works will enhance the National Highways’ project,
leading to a better overall highway network for all road users. The scheme is estimated to cost in the region of £650,000, funded from Greater Manchester’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and is part of a range of improvements to the Key Route Network.”
(Pic: Mapillary)
