Major upgrades as part of £5m investment in trans-Pennine route

Highways managers say major safety improvements on a 13.5-mile Trans-Pennine route will create safer and more dependable journeys for road users.

The work, which is now underway, is part of Highways England’s £5m investment in the A628.

Over the next 12 months the essential maintenance will include wall and barrier repairs, resurfacing and drainage upgrades.

Highways England project manager, Chris Corcoran, said: “Safety is our number one priority and by maintaining reliable and safe roads on this unique route we’ll create better links across the Pennines and beyond.

“The A628 connects two major northern cities so it is vital we carry out this multi-million-pound investment.”

Repairs have already started on the Tunnel North retaining wall. Work is being carried out between 8am and 5pm, and is due to be completed by the end of April.

Ground investigation work has also started to widen the A61/A616 Westwood roundabout, which is part of the wider Trans-Pennine upgrade scheme.

The work includes adding an extra lane to the roundabout and some of the approaches and carrying out technology improvements along the A628 which is due to begin in the autumn.

The various improvements will require some full weekend closures, weeknight overnight closures and temporary traffic lights.

The overnight closures will start on Monday 25 May between 8pm and 6am until Friday 10 July, and then again from Monday 7 September until Christmas, weather permitting.

Full weekend closures run from 8pm on Friday 5 June to 6am on Monday 8 June, and again from 8pm on Friday 3 July to 6am on Monday 6 July. The work is weather permitting, so there are also contingency dates of 12 to 16 June, 10 to 13 July and 11 to 14 September.

Diversions will be in place following the M1, M62 and M60 for traffic travelling towards Manchester and via the A57 for traffic travelling towards Sheffield.

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