MOTORISTS are being urged to remain patient as safety works get under way on the M42 this weekend.
From Monday (January 8) National Highways will replace the steel central reservation between junction four, for Monkspath, and junction seven, for Coleshill, with a concrete one.
Additional CCTV cameras and signage will also be installed in the motorway verge.
The scheme is being delivered as part of National Highways’ work to further enhance safety on existing dynamic hard shoulder motorways.
Three slightly narrower lanes will be open to traffic and there will be a reduced speed limit of 50mph, CCTV coverage and a free recovery service for the duration of the project.
To carry out surveys and install traffic management the M42 southbound will be closed between junctions 5 and 3a from 9pm to 6am on Monday and Tuesday (January 9).
The northbound carriageway will then be closed between the same points and times on Tuesday, 16 and Wednesday, 17 January.
National Highways says the closures are weather-dependent.
Project sponsor Nick Wells said: “Following successful early completion of similar improvements at the M42/M40 interchange at the end of last year, we are now in a position to start work further north.
“Concrete barriers significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over from one carriageway to another, improving safety and reducing the duration of incident-related congestion.
“They are virtually maintenance free and will last twice as long as normal metal barriers, with far less need for closures for routine repairs.
“We thank road users for their patience while we carry out this upgrade.”
Details of diversions and subsequent closures will be posted on the scheme webpage.
