Work progressing on J10 junction of M6 at Walsall
Open earth, heavy vehicles and portable buildings - that is the current scene at Junction 10 of the M6, as a £78 million project progresses on improving the route for motorists.
It marks the start of work in a two-year scheme that will aim to cut congestion for motorists travelling through the motorway island.
The junction a key intersection in the Black Country, linking up motorists with the high network and on a route between Walsall and Wolverhampton and Dudley.
Highways England officials say they do not expect there to be disruption caused by the roadworks, compared with work to repair the M5's viaduct in Oldbury.
The scheme at Junction 10 will involve building two huge bridges, twice the size of the ones that currently run over the motorway.
Traffic will continue to run over the existing bridges until their replacements are built.
Highways England project manager, David Reed, said: "We are making good progress and are on track to finish the work in spring 2022, easing congestion at the junction and speeding up journeys for drivers.
"We have already widened the westbound carriageway of the Black Country Route from two to three lanes from junction 10 to Marshlands Way. The foundations for the bridges are now complete and we are building up the bridge abutments.
"It is hoped the first bridge beams will be installed in the spring. We are grateful to people for their understanding while we are carrying out these much-needed improvements.”
"We’re confident disruption will be at a minimum."
