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A1(M) junction 6 to junction 3 smart motorway update from Highways England

highways England are currently developing the detailed design for a smart motorway between A1(M) junctions 6 and 8.

This scheme will be “All Lane Running”. This means that the hard shoulder will be converted into a permanent running lane for drivers to help reduce congestion and variable speed limits will be used to smooth traffic flow. The new scheme will mean drivers will benefit from a three-lane motorway between junction 3 (Hatfield) and junction 9 (Baldock / Letchworth).

Work on the A1(M) J6-8 will start in March 2020. The existing hard shoulder will be strengthened so t two lanes can be kept open for traffic when work starts on the central reservation, minimising disruption for road users as much as possible.

Work starting March 2020 will include:

  • detailed design development
  • strengthening the hard shoulder
  • structural survey work
  • site clearance, including vegetation on the verge
  • detailed topography, drainage and road surface surveys
  • installing new gantry structures to display overhead electronic message signs
  • installing CCTV cameras with full coverage of all the lanes
  • installing incident detection and automatic sign systems
  • installing enforcement cameras
  • installing emergency roadside telephones
  • installing electronic signals and signage
  • constructing emergency areas (identifiable by orange road surfaces), with distinctive advanced signs
  • upgrading central reservation by installing rigid concrete barrier
  • laying low-noise road surface
  • replanting the verges

Timeline

DateEvent
December 2014Government announces scheme
March 2020Works start
TBCWorks complete

For more information please click here.