Boost to economy as £8.2 million improvement works on M62 in West Yorkshire start early
Advance work to reduce congestion and improve safety on a 2.5-mile stretch of the M62 at Lofthouse in West Yorkshire will begin on Monday 25th January – thanks to £7 million Government fiscal stimulus funding.
The work includes strengthening and resurfacing the hard shoulder and sections of lane one between junction 29 (Lofthouse) and junction 30, plus improvements to the eastbound entry sliproad at Lofthouse junction. The work is in preparation for the planned roll out of the Managed Motorways scheme on the M62 which will see the hard shoulder opened up to traffic as an additional lane during peak times.
At the same time, the Highways Agency will carry out a £1.2 million scheme to ease congestion at Lofthouse junction by improving the layout of the westbound exit slip road.
The work is due to be completed by the end of March.
Transport Minister Chris Mole said:
“The Government is bringing forward infrastructure investment where possible as part of its commitment to ‘Building Britain’s Future’. Fiscal stimulus funding from the Department for Transport will enable the Highways Agency to deliver £400 million of accelerated works across the country this financial year – the M62 in West Yorkshire is just the latest major motorway route to benefit from a share of this funding.
“The hard shoulder strengthening scheme on the M62 is in advance of main construction work for the Managed Motorways scheme which is due to begin in late 2010. This scheme will see the hard shoulder opened up as a running lane and variable speed limits used to improve traffic flow during busy periods. As well as providing more reliable journey times, this adds more capacity at a lower cost than a more conventional widening and with fewer environmental impacts.”
Rosie Winterton, the Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber, said:
“This is good news providing jobs and investment for West Yorkshire. It is a clear example of the Government’s efforts to help kick start the regional economy and ensure best use of the existing road capacity on one of the region’s key transport routes. The Government’s fiscal stimulus is helping to bring the project forward and ensuring that the early preparatory work can be carried out in the current financial year.”
Steve Wright, Highways Agency project manager said:
“This is the first stage of preparatory work being carried out ahead of the main construction work for the Managed Motorways scheme.
“We are also taking the opportunity to carry out slip road improvements at the same time, in an attempt to minimise disruption for motorists. This is a busy stretch of motorway, so any lane closures needed to complete the work will be in place overnight when traffic flows are lower. Even so, drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys as there will be narrow lanes and a 50 mph speed limit in place 24-7 for the safety of road users.”
Main work on the Managed Motorway scheme is due to start in late 2010 and be finished by December 2012. The Agency is also developing plans to introduce the system on the M1 in South Yorkshire between junctions 32 to 35a.
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