Gantry installation programme to start on M1

A major gantry installation programme on the M1 in West Yorkshire will start at the end of this month (January).

A total of 10 new overhead gantries are required along the construction of the M1 junction 39 to 42 smart motorway scheme. The gantries will house signs used to display variable speed limits to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion.

The first stage of work will start every Saturday from 31 January to 21 February. There will be overnight full motorway closures between junctions 39 and 40 from 8pm on Saturdays to 8am on Sundays.

David Pilsworth, Highways Agency project manager, said: “We are pleased with the way the project is progressing and the installation of gantries illustrates a significant milestone.

The closures for gantry installation forms part of the long-term work currently taking place for the construction of the M1 junction 39 to 42 smart motorway scheme.

The £120 million smart motorway scheme, which covers an eight mile section of the M1 between junction 39 and junction 42, will cut congestion, make journey times more reliable and improve safety through the use of variable mandatory speed limits and by opening the hard shoulder as an extra running lane.