Work to upgrade the central reservation safety barrier on a stretch of the M1 in West Yorkshire will move to its second phase next month.
National Highways is replacing the wire rope central barrier with one constructed from a mixture of steel and concrete between junctions 47 (Parlington) and 43 (Belle Isle).
Concrete barriers are stronger than both wire barriers and metal ones and significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another.
The first phase, between junctions 46 and 47, began in March and the second phase, between junctions 43 and 46, is scheduled to start on 5 August.
Junction 43 at Belle Isle is where M621 branches off towards central Leeds and eventually the M62, with the M1 continuing to the east of the city.
Project manager Daniel Edwards said: ‘We have managed to get a lot of work completed ahead of schedule. As a result, we’re able to reduce the overall length of this scheme and begin the next phase on 5 August.’
The project requires the M1 in this area to be reduced from three to two lanes in both directions, with a speed limit of 50mph.
The work between junctions 46 and 47 is expected to continue until October this year while the second phase is currently scheduled to be complete in May 2025.
The 10-mile stretch of the M1 being upgraded represents around a fifth of National Highways plan to add 50 miles of concrete barrier during the second (2020-25) Roads Period. The company says that as the cost of concrete is significantly higher, its programme balances risk with affordability.
The conversion of stretches of motorway to all lane running (ALR) also includes upgrading central barriers to concrete and this is still taking place on cancelled ALR schemes.
The April 2024 issue of Highways magazine includes a feature on barrier replacement.
