Motorists in Greater Manchester have been urged to allow extra time when travelling this weekend as work to improve one of the busiest motorway junctions in the north west continues.
As part of a National Highways scheme to improve journey times and support future housing, employment and economic growth across Greater Manchester, the M60 will be closed in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 for the completion of gantry removal works at Simister Island.
Severe congestion and significant delays are expected, with motorists urged to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and, where possible, avoid the area during the closure.
Frances Oliver, National Highways Senior Project Manager, said:
“This is a vital scheme for the north west as Simister Island is used by more than 90,000 vehicles every day, and the M62 corridor is a major trade route between the port cities of Liverpool and Hull.
“Improvements include upgrading the M60 to five lanes in both directions and constructing a new loop road so fewer drivers will need to use the island. This will create additional capacity, improve traffic flows and reduce congestion.
“We appreciate this closure will cause disruption and would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding while we carry out this essential work.”
Four huge concrete gantries, which carry motorway signage over the M60, are being removed as part of the ongoing delivery of the scheme.
To enable this work to be undertaken safely, the M60 will be closed in both directions between junctions 17 and 18 during the following times:
- Saturday 10 October until Monday 12 October
- Westbound/anticlockwise: 10pm on Saturday to 6am Monday
- Eastbound/clockwise: 11.59pm on Saturday to 6am Monday
Two of the concrete gantries were removed during the first part-weekend closure on 26-27 September, which was successfully completed well within schedule. A short, time-lapse video of the work completed can be seen HERE.
(Picture: National Highways)
