WORK on a pilot scheme for a new £7 million Warrington motorway, is due to start next month in a bid to cut the congestion for drivers.
The innovative project, by Highways England, is to commence at the Croft Interchange – where junction 21A of the M6 joins with junction 10 of the M62.
‘Smart Motorway Technology’, such as electronic information signs and mandatory speed limits will come into play from next summer on the M62 in preparation for the work to begin.
There will also be traffic lights on the motorway link roads, from the Northbound and Southbound M6. However the construction between Warrington and Manchester is not due to start until 2018/2019.
A £150 million innovation fund is behind the project, the fund is designed to encourage Highways England to look at new technology available to improve driver’s journeys.
Highways England’s programme delivery manager for the North West, Andy Withington said:
“This is an opportunity to combine existing technology and traffic management systems in a novel way to see whether we can give drivers using the frequently congested eastbound M62.
Also decrease journey times during peak hours and smother, more reliable journeys. The system should be up and running next summer and if it is successful it could well be used on other motorway slip roads across the country.”
Drivers are being reassured that while traffic lights will be installed at the end of the link roads onto the Eastbound M62, traffic leaving the M6 will be closely monitored and controlled by the lights to minimise queueing on the M6 itself.
The eight-month construction period will mainly involve overnight work in the hard shoulder with occasional overnight closures, in the hope to minimise disruption to people’s journeys during the day.
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