M56 Junction 6-8 Smart Motorway
Cheshire and Greater Manchester, UK · 2020–2023 (completed March 2023) · £85 million
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project aimed to increase capacity and improve journey reliability in a cost-effective way. - Part of the wider Smart Motorways Programme, which has faced scrutiny over safety concerns. - Included the provision of new emergency areas to enhance safety. - The project highlights the ongoing debate and evolution of smart motorway design and implementation.
Key engineering challenges
Converting an existing motorway section to an all-lane running smart motorway while maintaining traffic flow. - Installing complex technology, including gantries and CCTV, within a live motorway environment. - Ensuring safety for both road users and construction workers during the upgrade. - Addressing public concerns regarding the safety of smart motorways.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- National Highways (formerly Highways England)
- Lead contractor
- Galliford Try
- Lead designers
- N/A (Further research needed if not found)
- Project type
- upgrade
- Scale
- All-lane running motorway on a 4-mile (6.4 km) stretch; includes new emergency areas, gantries, and technology.
- Disciplines
- civil; intelligent transport systems; electrical
- Standards & frameworks
- DMRB; CDM Regulations; Smart Motorway All-Lane Running standards
Sources: National Highways (https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/m56-junction-6-to-8-smart-motorway/) - Highways Magazine (https://www.highwaysmagazine.co.uk/news/dft/m56-smart-motorway-makes-line) - New Civil Engineer (https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/8-other-planned-smart-motorways-that-could-be-paused-after-m3-job-put-on-ice-23-11-2021/)