M60 motorway

M60 motorway. The M60 motorway is a major orbital motorway in North West England, passing through Greater Manchester and surrounding areas, including Bury, Oldham, and Stockport. It forms a significant part of the Manchester Outer Ring Road and is managed by Highways England, with maintenance carried out by Amey. The motorway is connected to other major roads, such as the M62 motorway, M61 motorway, and M66 motorway, providing access to nearby cities like Liverpool, Leeds, and Sheffield.

Introduction

The M60 motorway is an important transportation route, serving as a bypass for Manchester and reducing traffic congestion in the city center. It is used by thousands of commuters daily, including those traveling to and from nearby Manchester Airport and University of Manchester. The motorway also provides access to several major industrial and commercial areas, such as the Trafford Park industrial estate and the Manchester Ship Canal. The M60 is connected to other major motorways, including the M6 motorway and M1 motorway, which link London to Glasgow and Birmingham to Leeds.

Route

The M60 motorway runs for approximately 35 miles, passing through several boroughs of Greater Manchester, including Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Bury, and Salford. The motorway begins in Stockport and heads west towards Sale, then northwest towards Stretford and Urmston. It continues north through Bury and Rochdale, before turning east towards Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne. The M60 intersects with several major roads, including the A57 road, A627 road, and A666 road, which provide access to nearby towns like Bolton, Wigan, and Prestwich.

History

The M60 motorway was constructed in several stages, with the first section opening in 1960 as the M62 motorway. The motorway was later extended and upgraded, with the final section opening in 2000. The construction of the M60 was managed by the Ministry of Transport, with contractors like John Laing Group and Balfour Beatty carrying out the work. The motorway has undergone several upgrades and improvements over the years, including the introduction of variable speed limits and intelligent transport systems to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Junctions

The M60 motorway has several major junctions, including Junction 1 with the A5145 road and Junction 5 with the M61 motorway. Other notable junctions include Junction 12 with the M62 motorway and Junction 15 with the M66 motorway. The motorway also intersects with several minor roads, such as the A6010 road and A6042 road, which provide access to local communities like Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Didsbury. The junctions are managed by Highways England and are equipped with advanced traffic management systems, including CCTV cameras and variable message signs.

Features

The M60 motorway has several notable features, including the River Mersey bridge and the Manchester Ship Canal bridge. The motorway also passes through several tunnels, including the Denton Tunnel and the Stretford Tunnel. The M60 is equipped with advanced safety features, such as crash barriers and emergency phones, to reduce the risk of accidents and improve response times. The motorway is also maintained by Amey, which carries out regular inspections and repairs to ensure the road remains safe and functional.

Upgrades

The M60 motorway has undergone several upgrades and improvements over the years, including the introduction of smart motorway technology and all-lane running. The motorway has also been upgraded to include variable speed limits and hard shoulder running, which help to reduce congestion and improve safety. The upgrades have been carried out by Highways England and contractors like Balfour Beatty and Costain Group, with funding provided by the UK Government and European Union. The upgrades have improved the motorway's capacity and reduced journey times, making it a more efficient and reliable route for commuters and freight traffic. Category:Motorways in England