Work on new M6 Junction 10 bridges due to start in July

Drivers will notice major changes over the coming months at Junction 10 of the M6 as it undergoes a congestion-busting £78m upgrade.

The main feature of the revamp will be the construction of two huge bridges to replace current structures running over the motorway, increasing the road to four lanes. They will be able to carry double the amount of vehicles, helping to cut congestion and help traffic run more smoothly at the notorious bottleneck.

Other work included as part of the overall project, which will also include the widening of nearby roads, will start over the next few weeks.

The existing bridges will remain in place as the replacements are built next to them to allow traffic to continue to run over the motorway.

A new report has set out the timetable for the works, stating the main construction work on the bridges will start in July. The project is due to be completed in summer 2022.

John Sisk & Son was confirmed last year as the contractor to lead the revamp of the motorway junction between Wolverhampton and Walsall which serves thousands of drivers every day. Early preparations, including site clearance, have already started.

Traffic regularly backs up on the Black Country Route and Wolverhampton Road at peak times and transport chiefs believe the major project will help solve some of the issues faced by drivers.

Highways England and Walsall Council have decided to replace the bridges rather than carry out extensive maintenance to existing ones. The new bridges will also be much larger and carry more traffic.

The project is being jointly funded by Highways England, Walsall Council and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

Walsall Council's deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: "Reducing delays and increasing capacity at this vital interchange will play an important role in strengthening our economy and improving the accessibility of our town centre."