Work to improve safety by replacing the central reservation barrier on the M18 near Doncaster, South Yorkshire will begin on Monday 6 September.
The Highways Agency scheme involves replacing the steel central reservation barrier with a safer, concrete barrier and improving drainage on an 8.8 mile (14.35km) stretch of the motorway between Junction 2 and Waterton Bridge (north of Junction 4). Work will be completed by the end of March 2011.
In order to minimise disruption to road users, two lanes of traffic will be maintained during the day, with the motorway being reduced to one lane in each direction overnight whilst the works in the central reservation are carried out. The work will be carried out in phases, with the first – between Warning Tongue Lane bridge (north of Junction 3) and Junction 4 – starting on 6 September and completing in November.
During the work, a 50mph speed limit will be in place to ensure the safety of road users and workers. The traffic management, including the reduced speed limit, will remain in place 24 hours a day.
The second phase of the scheme, between Junction 3 and Warning Tongue Lane bridge, will start in mid-October and last for 12 weeks. Work between Junction 4 and Waterton Bridge will start in mid-November and last for 11 weeks, with the final phase – between Junction 2 (Wadworth Interchange) and Junction 3 – starting in early January for eight weeks. More details about the exact dates will be confirmed nearer the time.
Highways Agency project manager, Andrew Jennings, said: “This barrier replacement scheme will increase safety on the M18 in South Yorkshire. The new barriers are stronger and more robust – reducing the risk of vehicles involved in accidents crossing from one side of the motorway to the other, and improving the safety of road users and road workers. The barriers also require less maintenance and repairs and hence will reduce the likelihood of future disruption to the road user. Drivers are advised to approach these roadworks with care and allow extra time for their journeys.”
