M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

The study of British and Irish roads - their construction, numbering, history, mapping, past and future official roads proposals and general roads musings.

There is a separate forum for Street Furniture (traffic lights, street lights, road signs etc).

Registered users get access to other forums including discussions about other forms of transport, driving, fantasy roads and wishlists, and roads quizzes.

Moderator: Site Management Team

Post Reply
fras
Member
Posts: 3583
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 18:34

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by fras »

Used the M6 last week and also this Monday, and the signs now say "18 months to completion". The 50 mph section really does seem to last forever, although it is "only" 18 miles long. Then you have the speed restrictions for the works at Jn 10.
User avatar
Chris5156
Deputy Treasurer
Posts: 16896
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2001 21:50
Location: Hampshire
Contact:

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Chris5156 »

EpicChef wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 20:04There are indications that M1 J13-16 will take up to five years since it started, despite there being no bridge reconstruction whatsoever. It should not be taking that long, the only explanation is lazy workers.
That's quite a conclusion you've jumped to!

Other explanations might include unforeseen problems with earthworks, the necessity to carry out deep reconstruction of carriageway or hard shoulder to provide a stable running surface, or to combine long-term maintenance with the project so the road doesn't have to be revisited a few years after completion with more roadworks; changes to the project brief or design from Highways England; delays introduced by statutory undertakers e.g. waiting for the electricity supplier to connect up new supplies or upgrade existing to supply larger amounts of electrical equipment; changes in price or availability of raw materials; problems disposing excess material excavated from embankments if it can't be reused on site, etc etc etc etc.
Last edited by Chris5156 on Thu Sep 17, 2020 09:42, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
ManomayLR
Social Media Admin
Posts: 3321
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2016 11:47
Location: London, UK

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by ManomayLR »

Chris5156 wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 09:28
EpicChef wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 20:04There are indications that M1 J13-16 will take up to five years since it started, despite there being no bridge reconstruction whatsoever. It should not be taking that long, the only explanation is lazy workers.
That's quite a conclusion you've jumped to.

Other explanations might include unforeseen problems with earthworks, the necessity to carry out deep reconstruction of carriageway or hard shoulder to provide a stable running surface, or to combine long-term maintenance with the project so the road doesn't have to be revisited a few years after completion with more roadworks; changes to the project brief or design from Highways England; delays introduced by statutory undertakers e.g. waiting for the electricity supplier to connect up new supplies or upgrade existing to supply larger amounts of electrical equipment; changes in price or availability of raw materials; problems disposing excess material excavated from embankments if it can't be reused on site, etc etc etc etc.
At least they could update us. While the last M1 update was in May, the M4 scheme issues a full fledged newsletter every month.
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
brummie_rob
Member
Posts: 1536
Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 00:16

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by brummie_rob »

I can see the majority of 14-15 being fully open in the next 6 months or so with the last remaining works 13-14 being done by the end of 2021. That'd put it at around 3 years construction which is quicker than recent schemes of this length. The contraflow has certainly worked in favour.
User avatar
Big L
Deputy Site Manager
Posts: 7500
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 20:36
Location: B5012

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Big L »

brummie_rob wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 12:44 I can see the majority of 14-15 being fully open in the next 6 months or so with the last remaining works 13-14 being done by the end of 2021. That'd put it at around 3 years construction which is quicker than recent schemes of this length. The contraflow has certainly worked in favour.
There are signs up predicting completion in 18 months, which matches the original March 2022 prediction. The works started at the northern end, so it is likely that end will be finished first, and reasonably soon hopefully. South of 14 there is much more to do.

Overnight closure tonight.
Make poetry history.

Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
brummie_rob
Member
Posts: 1536
Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 00:16

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by brummie_rob »

It certainly makes it less painful if the longest section gets finished first at least and even then it was split into two sections from Yarnfield Lane up to 15 and down to 14. Look forward to an incident free section once finished; I know they aren't in favour much but J16-J19 flows much much better than it ever did before.
User avatar
Bryn666
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 35714
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2002 20:54
Contact:

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Bryn666 »

brummie_rob wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 17:56 It certainly makes it less painful if the longest section gets finished first at least and even then it was split into two sections from Yarnfield Lane up to 15 and down to 14. Look forward to an incident free section once finished; I know they aren't in favour much but J16-J19 flows much much better than it ever did before.
The Cheshire sections flows very well. That element of smart motorways isn't in doubt - and the 13-15 bit will make a huge difference too.

It's the management of incidents and roadworks that will be the problem in the future, and the current timescales to construct these things that is under heavy scrutiny; the M62 was meant to be finished in March and it still hasn't got a single gantry signal running despite having four lanes of traffic open. Everything is run by rotating prism speed limit signs.
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.

Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
brummie_rob
Member
Posts: 1536
Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 00:16

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by brummie_rob »

I believe the delay is that the matrix signs are being made in Italy and Covid has pushed back production.
User avatar
Big L
Deputy Site Manager
Posts: 7500
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 20:36
Location: B5012

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Big L »

I drove through on Thursday and noted the contraflow is now very much shorter - just one length from just north of J14 to just south of J13.
Make poetry history.

Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
User avatar
A303Chris
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 3587
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 14:01
Location: Reading

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by A303Chris »

Big L wrote: Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:48 I drove through on Thursday and noted the contraflow is now very much shorter - just one length from just north of J14 to just south of J13.
Interesting I went through the weekend before and it was only the top 4 miles before J15 which wasn't in contraflow. However, it does look like J14-15 will be finished first. Bit like the M4, J8/9 to J12 is due to open in three months, but J8/9 to J3 is still March 2020, 18 months away. Makes sense as J8/9 to J12 started a good 9 months before the rest
The M25 - The road to nowhere
User avatar
ManomayLR
Social Media Admin
Posts: 3321
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2016 11:47
Location: London, UK

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by ManomayLR »

A303Chris wrote: Thu Oct 22, 2020 14:13
Big L wrote: Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:48 I drove through on Thursday and noted the contraflow is now very much shorter - just one length from just north of J14 to just south of J13.
Interesting I went through the weekend before and it was only the top 4 miles before J15 which wasn't in contraflow. However, it does look like J14-15 will be finished first. Bit like the M4, J8/9 to J12 is due to open in three months, but J8/9 to J3 is still March 2020, 18 months away. Makes sense as J8/9 to J12 started a good 9 months before the rest
J8-9 to 10 of the M4 in mid September looked almost ready. The ERA signs were up, VMS signs mostly too, the westbound carriage way had gotten rid of the barrier and just had cones now, with a fully marked out fourth lane there.

Looks like there’s a trend of holding back sections that are ready sooner
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
User avatar
Big L
Deputy Site Manager
Posts: 7500
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 20:36
Location: B5012

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Big L »

All of the steel barrier on the northbound carriageway north of the contraflow is now gone - lane 1 coned off, traffic on the other three.

Other than a bit of white-lining at the compound exit by Yarnfield, and a couple of minidiggers that look to have been abandoned behind Armco, it looks almost good to go.

Except there are still no electronic displays.
Make poetry history.

Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
User avatar
ManomayLR
Social Media Admin
Posts: 3321
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2016 11:47
Location: London, UK

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by ManomayLR »

Big L wrote: Fri Oct 30, 2020 21:58 All of the steel barrier on the northbound carriageway north of the contraflow is now gone - lane 1 coned off, traffic on the other three.

Other than a bit of white-lining at the compound exit by Yarnfield, and a couple of minidiggers that look to have been abandoned behind Armco, it looks almost good to go.

Except there are still no electronic displays.
Interestingly, last time I checked, VMS were being put up on the M4 between J8/9 to 10. But that area already had MS4s before smartification, so chances are they've been reused, with the mounting brackets cleaned and replaced (which may explain why the new, horribly bulky all-access style hasn't been used).
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
User avatar
Bryn666
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 35714
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2002 20:54
Contact:

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Bryn666 »

Big L wrote: Fri Oct 30, 2020 21:58 All of the steel barrier on the northbound carriageway north of the contraflow is now gone - lane 1 coned off, traffic on the other three.

Other than a bit of white-lining at the compound exit by Yarnfield, and a couple of minidiggers that look to have been abandoned behind Armco, it looks almost good to go.

Except there are still no electronic displays.
7 months after "completion" the M62 J10-12 still has no permanent electronic signalling.

I'd expect the same nonsense to apply to the M6.
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.

Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
mikehindsonevans
Member
Posts: 1359
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:44
Location: Cheshire, but working week time in Cambridge

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by mikehindsonevans »

We did a return trip from Cheshire to the South on Friday. Southbound still 50moh and lots of construction. Northbound was 60mph all the way, with long stretches looking like a motorway again, with the leftmost lane (former hard shoulder) simply coned off.
Mike Hindson-Evans.
Never argue with a conspiracy theorist.
They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
brummie_rob
Member
Posts: 1536
Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 00:16

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by brummie_rob »

Latest newsletter today says will now be finished by Summer 21:
Early completion of the project is down to
several factors, including the use of contraflow
allowing for a larger working area in the verge
to complete work quicker and lessons learnt
during the primary phase of the project, which
have driven efficiencies across work areas.
Fewer cars on the road over spring and summer
2020 has also given teams the opportunity
to start night shifts earlier in the evening to
complete work more effectively.
Good news that the contraflow system has been a success, hopefully see it on all future projects. And this positive spin on the 60mph speed too:
We’re running at 60mph throughout
the full northbound section of the scheme. The
project took part in initial trials to assess if the
higher speed limit improved customer journeys.
The 60mph limit has been found to reduce
motorist’s journey times, tailgating and lane
switching. It’s a great result for road users.
User avatar
A303Chris
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 3587
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 14:01
Location: Reading

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by A303Chris »

brummie_rob wrote: Mon Nov 02, 2020 16:50
Good news that the contraflow system has been a success, hopefully see it on all future projects. And this positive spin on the 60mph speed too:
We’re running at 60mph throughout
the full northbound section of the scheme. The
project took part in initial trials to assess if the
higher speed limit improved customer journeys.
The 60mph limit has been found to reduce
motorist’s journey times, tailgating and lane
switching. It’s a great result for road users.
I must admit the 60 mph is better, but the reducing journey times is obvious given you travel one mile 12 seconds quicker than at 50 mph, so it will take 3 1/2 minutes of your travelling time in free flow conditions
The M25 - The road to nowhere
mikehindsonevans
Member
Posts: 1359
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:44
Location: Cheshire, but working week time in Cambridge

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by mikehindsonevans »

Contraflow has been announced for the M56 smartification btwn J6 and J8 (Bowden to Hale) *with proposed completion March 2022.
Mike Hindson-Evans.
Never argue with a conspiracy theorist.
They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
User avatar
Big L
Deputy Site Manager
Posts: 7500
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 20:36
Location: B5012

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by Big L »

Contraflow all gone now. 3 lanes each way on their own sides of the barrier.
Make poetry history.

Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
brummie_rob
Member
Posts: 1536
Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 00:16

Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway

Post by brummie_rob »

Big L wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 19:34 Contraflow all gone now. 3 lanes each way on their own sides of the barrier.
Can't be much longer until four lanes are running but under 'test' conditions once the signs are up. Wonder if we'll see a finish to the main works in Spring and the finishing bits by Summer.
Post Reply