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Highways England has commenced work to upgrade 56 overhead gantries on 17-mile smart motorway stretch between junction eight of the M60 near Sale and junction 20 of the M62 near Rochdale, Manchester.

The overhead gantries will be fitted with new electronic signs.

The works will be carried out over the next 11 months during nights.

Highways England stated that the new scheme will see latest technology being deployed to monitor traffic levels.

The hard shoulder will converted into an extra lane between junctions 18 and 20 on the M62 to accommodate more traffic on the route between Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

Highways England project manager Stef Wilson said: "More than 180,000 drivers travel along this stretch of the M60 and M62 every day, making it one of the busiest routes in the country.

"The new smart motorway will use variable speed limits to help tackle the stop-start conditions many of us have experienced in the past and an extra lane will be created on a five mile stretch of the M62.

"We need to close sections of the motorway overnight for the next 11 months for the latest phase of the project to upgrade 56 overhead gantries.

"The new smart motorway will use variable speed limits to help tackle the stop-start conditions many of us have experienced in the past."

"We’re carrying out the work when the motorway is at its quietest, and are encouraging drivers to consider using alternative routes or allow extra time for their journeys."

Four specialist subcontractors will upgrade the gantries, using cranes, scissor lifts and cherry pickers.

All the existing signs will be removed and new steel support structures, cables, electronic signs and lights will be fitted to each gantry.

The project is expected to complete by next year.

Image: Highways England has commenced work to upgrade 56 overhead gantries on 17-mile smart motorway stretch. Photo: Cortesy of Highways England .