The Department for Transport has given the go-ahead for a major infrastructure upgrade at the M60 junction 18 interchange.
Simister Island is used by around 90,000 vehicles a day – many more than it was designed for. Under the present road layout vehicles have to leave the motorway and then rejoin it.
The project, affecting the M60, M62 and M66 routes, will see a road ‘loop’ built to allow thousands of vehicles a day to bypass the current traffic light-controlled roundabout in order to produce more reliable and safer journeys through the interchange.
Martin Tugwell, chief executive of TfN, said: “We are really pleased to see this scheme get the go-ahead. It is badly needed and we have been calling for it for some time.
“Simister Island interchange is a key piece of infrastructure and improving the flow will cut journey times and reduce congestion, as well as contributing to Northern leaders vision for a better-connected and more efficient Northern transport network.
“The scheme will also play an important part in supporting growth in jobs and housing, such as the Northern Gateway and Atom Valley development schemes.”