Liverpool drivers are set to face disruption to their travel due to motorway roadworks. Work to deliver upgrades to the M60 at junction 18 Simister Island Interchange is underway.
Gantry demolition at Simister Island
The next major milestone is set to be the demolition of four huge concrete gantries over the motorway. The gantries carry motorway signage over the M60 and together weigh around 450 tonnes. One steel gantry will also be removed during the works. The concrete gantries range from 22.75m to 33.25m in length and stand around 7m tall.
Each concrete gantry weighs between 90 and 120 tonnes, with a combined weight of around 450 tonnes. They are being removed having reached the end of their operational life and will be replaced with new ones designed around the updated junction layout.
While Simister Island is located in the Bury area of Greater Manchester, the interchange is a key link to the M62 Liverpool to Hull corridor. It is also a link to the M66.
Closure dates and times
To enable this work to be undertaken safely, the M60 will be closed in both directions between junctions 17 and 18. The closures will take place during the following times:
- 8pm on Saturday, September 26 until 6am on Monday, September 28.
- Saturday, October 10, until Monday, October 12.
- Westbound/anticlockwise 10pm on Saturday to 6am Monday.
- Eastbound/clockwise 11.59pm on Saturday to 6am Monday.
National Highways said these dates have been carefully chosen to reduce the impact on road users as much as possible. However, delays to journeys are expected, and motorists are urged to plan ahead, allow extra time and, where possible, avoid the M60 between junctions 17 and 18 during the closures.
Diversions and project impact
Diversions will be in place and National Highways is working closely with Transport for Greater Manchester, local authorities and partners to keep disruption to a minimum. Diversion routes will be clearly signposted and full information about the diversion routes can be found on the website.
Nicola Eastwell, National Highways Project Manager, said: “The M60 Simister Island scheme will create extra capacity, improve traffic flows and support future housing, employment and economic growth across the city region.
“The removal of these gantries is an important next step in delivering the scheme. We understand the inconvenience this work will cause and would like to thank the local community, including road users, for their continued support and patience while we complete this work.”
