Motorists travelling through Greater Manchester have been warned to expect significant disruption during the first two September weekends as essential maintenance work on the M60 gets underway.
The anti-clockwise carriageway around junction 19 near Middleton and Heaton Park will experience severe lane restrictions, which authorities warn could create substantial traffic delays.
Drivers have been strongly advised to avoid this section of the motorway during the affected periods and consider alternative routes, including using the clockwise M60 instead.
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The maintenance programme forms part of a major infrastructure project targeting critical repairs to bridge infrastructure in the area.
Drivers will experience delays on junction 19 near Middleton and Heaton Park during the weeked closures
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The disruption will specifically impact weekend travel on September 6 and 7 and again on September 13 and 14, with only one lane remaining operational during these periods.
The infrastructure work centres on a £1.3million scheme targeting a bridge that carries anti-clockwise traffic over the River Irk near the junction 19 exit slip road.
Essential maintenance includes comprehensive deck waterproofing to protect the structure from weather damage and the installation of new central reservation barriers to enhance safety standards.
These repairs, which commenced in July, are designed to extend the bridge's operational lifespan significantly while reducing the likelihood of unplanned maintenance requirements in future years.
National Highways will install new central reservation barriers on the motorway
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The project represents a substantial investment in preventing more disruptive emergency repairs that could otherwise necessitate sudden road closures.
The comprehensive maintenance programme is scheduled for completion in November, with the current weekend disruptions representing the final phase requiring daytime lane restrictions.
Traffic restrictions will commence at 6am on Saturday, September 6 and continue until 9pm on Sunday, September 7, with the anti-clockwise carriageway reduced to a single lane through junction 19.
During this first weekend, the exit slip road at junction 19 will be completely closed to facilitate the maintenance work with drivers urged to avoid the area.
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The second disruption period runs from 6am on Saturday, September 13, until 9pm on Sunday, September 14, featuring different arrangements. The anti-clockwise carriageway will again operate with just one lane, but will be closed entirely at junction 19 itself.
Motorists will be directed along an 'off and on' diversion route during the second weekend, exiting via the slip road and rejoining the anti-clockwise M60 through the entry slip road from the junction roundabout.
Brief overnight closures on Friday and Sunday nights will allow crews to install and remove traffic management equipment.
National Highways programme delivery manager Mangat Bansal acknowledged the inconvenience while explaining the strategic approach to minimising disruption for road users.
The motorway will experience lane closures during September to allow roadworks to be completed
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"We've worked really hard to minimise the impact of these roadworks on drivers' journeys by doing most of the repairs overnight when the motorway is less busy and keeping all three lanes running and the slip road open during the day," Mr Bansal stated.
He emphasised that weekend working represents the sole phase requiring daytime journey impacts, noting that teams selected the quietest period of the week despite inevitable congestion at certain times.
"We'd like to thank motorway users in advance for their support and patience and urge them to plan journeys around junction 19 to avoid the congestion during next month's weekend working," Mr Bansal added.
Clearly marked diversions will guide motorists during the brief overnight closures required for traffic management installation and removal on Friday and Sunday evenings. National Highways has established multiple channels for drivers to access current traffic conditions before beginning their journeys.