Smart motorway update

Manchester smart motorway opening timeline

Motorists can now see smart motorway technology and variable speed limits in operation on the M62 between junctions 18 and 20.

Highways England said: “As we work towards the final phases of this project, there will be various elements of work, including resurfacing, between now and summer 2018 when the scheme will be fully completed.”

The motorway suffers from heavy congestion and unpredictable journey times, especially during peak periods.

The first smart motorway scheme (known then as a managed motorway) opened to traffic on the M42 motorway in 2006. Analysis of the data gathered since opening has found that journey reliability improved by 22%.

In addition, personal injury accidents have reduced by more than half since hard shoulder running was introduced. There was also an overall reduction in the severity of accidents with zero fatalities and fewer seriously injured.