M1/M62 barrier renewal

Latest updates

• 21 August 2023

  M62 Barrier work is completed

  A central barrier upgrade improving safety for drivers in West Yorkshire is now complete, more than a month ahead of schedule.
  
  We've replaced the steel barrier on the M62 between junctions 28 (Tingley) and 29 (Lofthouse) with a concrete one, with new lighting also installed. Concrete barriers are safer than steel ones as they are stronger, reducing the risk of vehicles crossing from one carriageway to the other. They also last longer than metal, which will mean fewer closures for routine repairs in the future and therefore less disruption.
  
  We appreciate this scheme has caused delays since it began in January and we’re very grateful to road users for bearing with us while we’ve worked to get it completed. Once again, thank you for your patience.
  
  The outside lane of the eastbound carriageway has now reopened. However, part of the lane is still narrowed underneath the Dolphin Lane footbridge near Thorpe on the Hill, which is currently undergoing remedial work. On the westbound carriageway, a short stretch of the outside lane also remains closed around the footbridge. The work on the footbridge is due to be completed in mid-September.
  
  Since the upgrade began in January, we've also improved around three miles of drainage, waterproofed the central reserve of two bridges and carried out further general maintenance.
  
  In addition to the barrier upgrade, there will be further safety improvements and smoother journeys as this section of the M62 is due to be resurfaced.
  
  Alongside the work on the M62, around 2.5 miles of the central barrier is currently being upgraded between junctions 42 of the M1 (Lofthouse) and 43 (Belle Isle) and at junction 7 of the M621 (Stourton). This is expected to finish in the coming weeks.

• 14 July 2023

  M62 Barrier upgrades enters last phase

  Our safety upgrade to a central barrier on the M62 in West Yorkshire is now heading into its final phase with lighting and footbridge improvements completing the scheme.   

  We expect to finish in August, ahead of autumn as initially expected. We've almost completed the barrier upgrade from steel to concrete. The upgrades will bring safer journeys as concrete barriers are stronger than steel ones, which will reduce the risk of vehicles crossing from one carriageway to the other.   

  As well as installing the concrete barrier, the programme has seen the waterproofing of the central reserve of two structures, alongside improvements to around three miles of drainage and general maintenance.  

  We appreciate this scheme has already caused delays on the road for many drivers since we began this work in January, and we have done everything we can to minimise delays. We are pleased to say the barrier is now all but finished and we now just need to install the improved lighting.  

  At the same time, we’re also going to carry out remedial work to the Dolphin Lane footbridge near Thorpe on the Hill. This will mean we can carry out two sets of work under one section of traffic management without having to put any further temporary barriers, cones or closures in place – minimising disruption to the public.” 

  Closures and diversions 

  Scaffolding and encapsulation of the footbridge will begin on Monday 17 July, to allow the deck to be lifted from its bearings.  

  There will be five overnight closures between junctions 28 and 29 to allow us to put up the scaffolding between 17 and 21 July.  

  M62 westbound 

  The M62 will be closed at junction 29 to westbound traffic. Drivers will be diverted north on the M1 to junction 44 (Rothwell) before being directed back towards junction 42, with traffic heading west through the tunnel to re-join the M62. 

  The westbound exit slip from junction 42 of the M1 to the M62 westbound will be closed. Drivers planning to join the M62 westbound from the M1 will follow the above diversion. 

  M62 eastbound 

  Two lanes will be closed for a short distance from the eastbound approach to junction 29, where the exit slip begins, to a point 10 metres beyond the Dolphin Lane footbridge.  

  The work on the lighting and footbridge is due to continue until 25^th August. Once this is complete, all remaining work on this section of M62 will be finished and closures lifted. 

  The central barrier upgrade between junction 42 of the M1 (Lofthouse) and junction 6 of the M621 (Belle Isle) is expected to continue until autumn. 

• 17 May 2023

  Next phase of work - extension of M62 eastbound closure.

  We continue to upgrade just over three miles of steel central barrier with concrete on the M62 between junctions 28 (Tingley) and 29 (Lofthouse).  

  From this Sunday (21 May), engineers will put in place the easternmost section of the new concrete barrier. To carry this out safely, the outside lane closure currently in place on the M62 eastbound will be extended, from around half a mile before the junction 29 exit slip road to the centre of the junction.  

  This extension is planned to be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for around three weeks.  

  Alongside the work on the M62, around 2.5 miles of the central barrier will be upgraded between junctions 42 of the M1 (Lofthouse) and 43 (Belle Isle) and at junction 7 of the M621(Stourton). 

  We are working hard to complete these vital improvements as soon as possible to reduce longer-term disruption. By carrying out the work during the day as well as overnight, we will be able to finish this part of the scheme in three weeks instead of the six weeks it would take if we had done it during overnight closures only.   

  We’re aware that the barrier upgrades, which have been taking place since January, have already caused disruption, especially during peak hours. Unfortunately, we are expecting this to result in further delays to journeys on this section of the M62, especially during afternoon peak travel periods. We’re strongly advising drivers to allow extra time to travel, or to find alternative routes if this is at all possible. 

  We would like to thank everyone for their patience while this essential work is completed. 

• 25 January 2023

  Closures and traffic management w/c 21 January

  From Saturday (21 January), work will move on to the westbound carriageway between junctions 29 and 28.  

  From Monday (23 January), work will also begin to replace around 2.5 miles of the steel central barrier with a concrete one on the M1 between junctions 42 (Lofthouse) and 43 (Belle Isle) and at junction 7 of the M621 (Stourton).  

  We advise all drivers to allow more time for your journey, especially during peak times.  

  We have worked hard to mitigate the potential for delays by keeping three lanes of traffic running, only putting full closures in place overnight when traffic is lightest and making sure everybody is kept informed of the closures. However, we are unfortunately expecting to see some significant delays, especially at peak times.   

  We apologise in advance for any disruption.

  Once the work is complete, you will see longer-term benefits because the concrete barriers reduce the need for routine repairs in the future.                                  

  Closures 

  M62   

  From the morning of 21 January, the outside lane of both the east and westbound carriageways will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week between junctions 29 and 28. A 50mph speed limit will be in place on both sides.   

  Traffic will run under narrow lanes with the hard shoulder used to keep three lanes running during the work over Tingley Interchange.  

  Full overnight closures will also be in place. From Friday (20 January), the M62 westbound between junctions 29 and 28 will be closed overnight. This will enable preparation work including marking for narrower lanes on this stretch.  

  Overnight closures have already been in place on the eastbound carriageway on this stretch of road since 14 January. Full and lane closures will remain in place between 8pm and 6am each night until the scheme finishes in winter 2023.  

  From the night of Sunday 22 January, a temporary central barrier will be installed on the westbound carriageway between junctions 29 and 28. This will be installed to keep the workforce safe while the permanent replacement is put in place. 

  M1 / M621 

  From 5am on Tuesday 24 January, the southbound outside lane between junction 6 of the M621 (Belle Isle) and junction 42 of the M1 (Lofthouse) will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A 50mph speed limit will also be in place in this area.  

  At times this will mean a stretch of the M1 and M621 southbound will be reduced to two lanes southbound. 

  The closures will be in place on this section of road until winter 2023. 

  A full overnight closure is due in place from 23 until 30 January on the southbound carriageway between junction 7 of the M621 (Stourton) and junction 42 of the M1. This will enable narrow lanes to be marked out and a temporary safety barrier to be put in place to protect the workforce during the permanent upgrade.

• 10 January 2023

  M62 concrete barrier scheme – overnight closures  

  We are carrying out some barrier improvements along the M1 and M62 intersection. Concrete barriers significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another, improving safety and reducing the duration of incident-related congestion.

  What are we doing?  

  We started work on Monday 9 January 2023 and aim to complete the work in autumn 2023.

  Phase one

  To complete the first phase of our work safely, we will need to put in place a series of overnight closures on the M62 between junctions 28 and 29. The closures are as follows:

  • Westbound closure – junctions 28 to 29

  Monday 9 January – Friday 13 January from 8pm to 6am

  During the overnight closures, a fully signed diversion route will be in place. The carriageway will be fully open in each direction throughout the day.

  Phase two

  The second phase of the work will include the installation of narrow lanes on the carriageway to ensure traffic flow throughout the scheme. We will also be installing a temporary safety barrier to keep our workforce safe throughout the work.

  To complete this phase of the work safely, we will need to put in place a series of overnight closures on the M62 between junctions 28 and 29. The closures are as follows:

  • Eastbound closure – junctions 28 to 29

  Saturday 14 January to Thursday 19 January from 8pm to 6am each night

  • Westbound closure – junctions 28 to 29

  Friday 20 January to Friday 27 January from 8pm to 6am each night

  From Monday 16 January, the outside lane will be closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Traffic will run under narrow lanes, with the Tingley Interchange hard shoulder used to keep three lanes running during the work. A 50mph speed limit will also be in place on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 28 and 29.

  During the overnight closures, a fully signed diversion route will be in place.

  The following weeks will see the work moving to the westbound carriageway of the M62 as well as the M1. We will update you on further phases of this work when we have a confirmed programme. 

  How will this impact me?  

  We are mindful that our work may cause some noise disruption. We aim to complete our noisiest operations before midnight, and we will constantly monitor the noise we make.  

  We apologise in advance to customers who may be affected and thank you for your patience while this essential work is completed.