Thursday 14:26
Work to repair the surface of the M60 between Junction 19 and Junction 23 around Greater Manchester is set to start in February.
The work to repair cracks in the road surface is due to start on Friday, 29 February. Weather permitting, it will take eight consecutive weekends to complete the work on the orbital motorway.
Much of the work will be carried out overnight between Friday night and Monday morning, to limit any delays for road users.
Manuelle Salathe, Highways Agency project manager, said:
"We continuously monitor the condition of our network and have discovered that work is needed to repair cracked areas on the M60.
"This work will also give us the opportunity to carry out investigative work of the road foundation layers.
"While there will be some disruption to motorists, we are hoping to limit any delays by doing most of the work overnight on weekends. A reduced speed limit will be in place over the weekend to ensure the safety of road workers and drivers."
A majority of the work will take place between 21.00 on Fridays and 08.00 on Saturdays; 21.00 on Saturdays to 09.00 on Sundays; and 21.00 on Sundays to 05.00 on Mondays. During these times the M60 will be reduced to a single lane alongside exit and entry slip road closures.
During the day the carriageways will be reduced to two lanes to allow the new road layers to cool down.
A speed restriction of 50mph will be enforced during the weekend works and will be in place from the start of works on Friday nights at 21.00 until the end of works on Monday mornings at 05.00. The 50mph restriction will be lifted for the rest of the week.
Any hauliers wishing to move abnormal loads through the works should contact the Highways Agency Information Line (HAIL) on 08457 50 40 30.
Notes to Editors
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is now available:
* From our new Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).
3. Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.
4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)
Safe driving at roadworks
During 2006 two workers were killed and 19 seriously injured in the course of their work on Highways Agency roads.
For the safety of all road users and roadworkers, when you are approaching roadworks:
* Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety. * Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching. * Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks. * Be alert for works' traffic leaving or entering roadworks. * Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front. * Observe all signs - they are there to help you.
Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by GNN North West
Client ref HA/NW/150/2008
