United Kingdom – Road minister Dr Stephen Ladyman has officially opened the newly widened 4.5 miles of the M60 in Greater Manchester.

The £139.5 million project, which started in July 2003, will help to ease congestion between Junction 5 at Northenden and Junction 8 at Stretford by providing a minimum of three lanes and, in some sections, four lanes.

“These extra lanes will reduce congestion, improve travel times, and make the road safer which is good news for road users and businesses in the area,” said Dr Ladyman.

“Before the widening, this section of the M60 was a bottleneck, carrying more traffic than it was designed to with congestion and severe queuing at junctions during peak periods.

“This project demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling congestion and will be welcomed by road users from across the country who use this important route.”

During the project, traffic delays were minimised, with no reduction the number of available lanes during peak periods due to overnight working.

Between Junctions 8 and 6, a dual three-lane motorway with parallel link roads was created.

The existing parallel link road between Junctions 8 and 7 was also extended to Junction 6 to reduce the number of ‘weaving’ movements on the motorway, as the junctions are very close together making it difficult for traffic to change lanes.

In addition, a dual four-lane motorway between Junctions 6 and 5 was formed, along with improvements at the four existing junctions.

The newly widened motorway was planned to blend in with the existing landscape and includes shaped earthworks and newly planted trees and shrubs.

A low noise surface was used throughout the widening and noise fencing was installed to reduce the impact on nearby properties.

Three new landmark bridges were also built, with white cable-stayed bridges across the Mersey Valley and adjacent to Trafford Water Park and a bowstring arch footbridge over the motorway at Dunmow Walk.