M62 closures to install new gantries and signs

A series of weekend overnight closures on the M62 starts on Saturday to install overhead gantries as part of the £150m managed motorway scheme.

Further weekend overnight closures will be required on various sections of the M62 between junctions 25 (Brighouse) to 30 (Rothwell) until November.

David Pilsworth, Highways Agency project manager said: "Using overnight closures gives us full access to the motorway and means we can install the gantries, signs and signals as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"Closing the M62 also ensures the safety of the travelling public as the road workers will be working overhead and will be working with large and heavy equipment."

A total of 36 new overhead gantries - some weighing over 30 tonnes - will be required along the new managed motorway section.

A further 16 existing gantries are being upgraded to take new signage. The gantries will house signs used to display variable speed limits to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Work to convert the M62 to a managed motorway started in October. The scheme is scheduled to open to traffic in 2013-14.