A new viaduct and road upgrades at Simister Island will reduce congestion and improve safety on major UK motorways.

A major motorway upgrade at Simister Island in Greater Manchester, approved by the Department for Transport, will ease congestion on the M60, M62, and M66, which handle about 90,000 vehicles daily. The project centers on a new free-flowing viaduct, the Pike Fold viaduct, replacing a signal-controlled roundabout to reduce delays and improve safety. It includes a new two-lane connection from M60 northbound to westbound, widening M66 southbound to four lanes at junction 18, converting the hard shoulder into a permanent traffic lane between junctions 17 and 18—creating five lanes in each direction—and realigning slip roads and portal gantries. The Haweswater underpass, a pedestrian route used by about 70 people daily—mostly children—will be upgraded with lighting, paving, and better maintenance. The improvements aim to support future growth, including the Northern Gateway development, and deliver long-term journey time savings.