Work to create M6 smart motorway stretch to start in March

The project, undertaken by Highways England, aims to increase capacity by a third between junction 21a for the M62 at Croft and junction 26 for the M58 at Orrell.

More than 120,000 vehicles travelled along the route every day before lockdown restrictions were introduced.

The transformation, which will also see the installation of new technology to relieve congestion, is set to take two years to complete.

New radar detectors positioned along the motorway will monitor the flow of traffic and automatically detect any stationary vehicles, while the hard shoulder will be permanently converted to an extra lane to provide four traffic lanes in each direction.

New CCTV cameras will provide live images of the motorway 24 hours a day at Highways England’s regional operations centre in Newton-le-Willows

A total of 92 electronic signs will be used to set variable speed limits to prevent stop-start conditions and close lanes by displaying red Xs during incidents.

Live images of the motorway will also be provided 24 hours a day at Highways England’s regional operations centre in Newton-le-Willows thanks to 39 new CCTV cameras.

The scheme will see the replacement of the metal barrier in the central reservation with a new concrete barrier to help increase safety and reduce maintenance, as well as the resurfacing of lanes one and four on both carriageways.

Drivers will be able to use one of 10 new emergency areas as a safer place to stop if they experience a breakdown, with roadside telephones providing a direct link to the regional operations centre.

Highways England’s contractors will carry out the work in sections to reduce the impact on drivers, with narrow lanes and temporary speed limits in place.

Drivers will be able to find out more about the plans during special online events taking place later this month.

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Agnes Usciak, Highways England’s project manager, said: “The improvements we are planning for the M6 between Warrington and Wigan will provide quicker, safer and more reliable journeys for the tens of thousands of drivers who travel along the route every day.

“We are encouraging as many people as possible to join our online events later in February to find out more about the scheme and put their questions to the project team.”

Highways England is launching a virtual exhibition on Thursday, February 18, and you can take part in a live chat with the project team from midday to 2pm on Friday February 19.

Additional live chat opportunities have been scheduled for between 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, February 21 and 10am to midday on Monday, February 22.

The virtual exhibition will stay live for the duration of the motorway upgrade, and more details are available at highwaysengland.co.uk/m6-j21a-26