M54 to shut as £10.8m roadworks start
Part of the M54 will close every night for the next five months from tonight as part of a £10.8 million roadworks scheme.
Six miles of the westbound carriageway between junction three at Albrighton and junction five at Telford will close overnight until April.
Central reservation barriers will be replaced, the road resurfaced and drainage improved as part of the work.
Average speed cameras will also be put in place to enforce a 40mph speed limit for westbound traffic and a 50mph restriction for motorists travelling east during the work. Sections of the westbound route will be reduced to one lane during the day during off-peak times and at weekends.
Highways Agency project manager Purnima Kaul said the work was "vital" and would be completed as quickly as possible. He added diversions would be put in place and added workers would be on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get the project done.
"This is a very important scheme to replace and upgrade safety features on this stretch of the M54. We are replacing the central reservation barrier and improving the drainage. This will help keep drivers safe, whilst the drainage improvements will reduce spray from the road surface," he said.
"We are making further improvements to journeys at the same time, by replacing the road surface. The new surface will be smoother and much quieter, and should reduce the need for further work in this area for some time to come."
"We have planned this work to deliver the maximum benefit for road users in the long term. We encourage all road users to properly plan their journeys and check all traffic and weather information before setting out.
"As we will be working in phases, it will be important for road users to make sure they have the latest information so they know what to expect before setting out."