M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
Chris
Roads.org.uk
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
At least they could update us. While the last M1 update was in May, the M4 scheme issues a full fledged newsletter every month.Chris5156 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 09:28That'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.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.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.
Overnight closure tonight.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.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.
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.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
I believe the delay is that the matrix signs are being made in Italy and Covid has pushed back production.
Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.A303Chris wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 14:13Interesting 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
Looks like there’s a trend of holding back sections that are ready sooner
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
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.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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).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.
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
7 months after "completion" the M62 J10-12 still has no permanent electronic signalling.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.
I'd expect the same nonsense to apply to the M6.
Bryn
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She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
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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
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
Latest newsletter today says will now be finished by Summer 21:
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: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.
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.
Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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 conditionsbrummie_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.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
Contraflow has been announced for the M56 smartification btwn J6 and J8 (Bowden to Hale) *with proposed completion March 2022.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
Contraflow all gone now. 3 lanes each way on their own sides of the barrier.
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Re: M6 junction 13 to junction 15 smart motorway
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.