Boost to West Yorkshire economy as M62 safety improvement scheme begins
A £27.9million safety improvement scheme on the M62 in West Yorkshire – accelerated for delivery as part of the Department for Transport’s £700 million fiscal stimulus package – starts this week.
The work will replace the steel central reservation barrier with a safer, concrete barrier, install new lighting columns and improve drainage on a 9.4 mile (15.2km) stretch of the motorway between junctions 25 (Brighouse) and 28 (Tingley).
The new barriers are stronger and more robust – reducing the risk of vehicles involved in accidents crossing from one side of the motorway to the other and improving the safety of road users and road workers. The barriers are also unlikely to require repairs after vehicle impact.
Transport Minister Chris Mole welcomed the investment:
“The Government is committed to ‘Building Britain’s Future’ and bringing forward infrastructure investment wherever possible. That is why the Highways Agency is delivering this investment during 2009-10 to help stimulate the economy and support business.
“This essential safety improvement scheme on the M62 in West Yorkshire is just one example of where this money is helping to make journeys safer and more reliable for road users in the longer term.” Highways Agency Project Sponsor Sujad Hussain said:
“Fiscal stimulus funding from the Department for Transport will enable the Agency to deliver £400 million of accelerated works this financial year – including this barrier replacement scheme which will increase safety on the M62 in West Yorkshire.
“To limit any delays to road users we’re maintaining three lanes in each direction. During the barrier work a 50mph speed limit and narrow lanes will be in place to ensure the safety of road users and our work force. Drivers are advised to approach these roadworks with care and allow extra time for their journeys.”
The layout of the traffic management will vary along the length of the works depending on what work is taking place. Road users are being advised that from 28 September there will be overnight hard shoulder and lane one closures on the M62 between junctions 25 (Brighouse) and 28 (Tingley), in order to upgrade the lighting columns and relocate them from the central reservation to the motorway verges. This work will take place between 8pm and 6am until mid November.
The second phase of work will take place on the central reservation barrier. During the work lane three will be closed on the east and westbound carriageways, with drivers using the hard shoulders. This will maintain three narrow lanes of traffic in each direction and minimise any disruption to drivers. During the barrier work a 50mph speed limit will be in place to ensure the safety of road users and road workers. The traffic management, including the reduced speed limit, will remain in place 24 hours a day, with most of the work carried out between 7am and midnight.
In order to maintain three lanes of traffic in each direction the restriction on the M606 / M62 HOV lane will be suspended from mid-November 2009 to mid-February 2010 while these barrier works take place. This will mean the HOV lane will be open to all vehicles. During the works drivers are encouraged to continue car sharing in order to minimise delays through the roadworks. The HOV Lane was made permanent on 15th September, following an 18 month trial and consultation with key stakeholders.
Where there are no central reserve barrier works taking place, traffic will revert back onto the normal carriageway, however the 50mph speed restriction will be retained for safety reasons. Free vehicle recovery will be available for the duration of the scheme. The works will be completed at the end of March 2010.
Work to install a concrete barrier between junctions 29 (Lofthouse) and 30 (Rothwell) is nearing completion. The work started on 8 June and will be completed on 2 October.
Across the country, the Highways Agency is bringing forward infrastructure investment to help stimulate the economy – it’s all part of ‘Building Britain’s Future.’
See also:
No comments yet
