SIX MONTHS OF ROADWORKS ALONG THE M602 AS CENTRAL BARRIER REPLACEMENT WORK SET TO START ON MONDAY

From next Monday commuters using the M602 will be faced with roadworks as Highways England is set to start replacing the three mile long steel dividing barrier which has been in situ along the middle of the M602 since its construction back in the early 70's and its later extension into the heart of Salford during the early 80's.

Photos from our archive of the M602's construction back in the 1970's.

The motorway was itself intended to be a part of a much larger scheme which was to be known a the South Lancashire Motorway, designated the M52 which would have provided a link between Manchester and Liverpool but alas it was not to be.

The current barrier on the Eccles to Salford stretch has been exposed to the elements for almost 40-years and over that period it has seen its fair share of corrosion in places. With over 75,000 drivers using the route daily it makes sense to ensure their safety and replace it.

Construction is scheduled to start this coming Monday 10th Feb and will be carried out in phases so as to minimise any disruption.

Lane closures will be in place over-night and work will be carried out in phases with the first phase seeing temporary narrow lanes between Junction two in Eccles along to the Manchester end at Junction three. During phase one a construction area along the central reservation will be created to allow the workforce to safely go about their business.

There will be a reduced speed limit of 40 mph imposed on the stretch on the Westbound carriageway and a 50 mph limit on the Eastbound.

The second phase will come in May when work will start between Junction two at Gildabook Road and Junction one where the motorway connects to the M60 ring-road and M62 towards Liverpool.

The work is expected to last as long as 6-months with an end date being given as on the 31st of July, Highways England expect delays of just 90 seconds added onto journey times.

Full motorway closures will be in place over-night between 9pm and 5am, however, only one side of the carriageway will close at any time. Obviously slip roads will be closed to.

Ross Hepburn, project manager at Highways England, said:

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"The existing barrier has been there since the motorway was opened so we need to replace it with a new steel barrier to help keep drivers safe and prevent vehicles crossing onto the opposite carriageway.

"We will be keeping two lanes open in each direction during the day throughout the project which means there will be no reduction in capacity for drivers travelling to and from Manchester.

"We’re also carrying out the work in phases so that the reduced speed limits are only needed on short stretches of the motorway, adding less than 90 seconds to drivers’ journeys."

 

Photos: SM