National Highways - Simister Island Scheme

From summer 2026 until late 2029

Simister Island interchange between the M62, M60 and M66, is one of the busiest motorway junctions in the north-west, used by around 90,000 vehicles each day.

The junction struggles with high volumes of traffic, far above what it was designed for, and as a result suffers from congestion and poor journey time reliability.

This National Highways project aims to improve junction 18 of the M60 and facilitate smoother flows of traffic along the connecting motorways, contributing to more reliable and safer journeys into and around Greater Manchester.

The main aims of the scheme are to improve the journey experience for users of this section of network by:

Reducing peak congestion
Reducing journey times
Delivering more reliable journey times

In order to do so, the following work will be undertaken:

Create a new free-flow link (the ‘Northern Loop’) from M60 eastbound to M60 southbound (clockwise), including a new three-span viaduct over the M66 and junction 18 slip roads.
Realign the M66 southbound off slip, with a new single span bridge to take it over the new loop.
Realign the M66 motorway as it heads south under junction 18 and introduce additional capacity by adding two more lanes through the junction to accommodate the merging traffic from the new loop.
Provide an improved two lane free-flow link from the M60 northbound to the M60 westbound (anticlockwise) to replace the existing single lane.
Convert the existing hard shoulders into permanent traffic lanes between M60 junctions 17 and 18, providing five lanes in both directions, plus new hard shoulders. This will improve traffic flow along the M60 and allow traffic joining and leaving at junctions 17 and 18 to avoid changing lanes as often.

The works will take place from Friday 19 June 2026.

Work will take place daily but will also require some weekend closures.

Works are expected to take place until late 2029.

The works have been designed to maintain normal capacity at the busiest times for the duration of the three-year period, meaning most users will only experience narrower lanes and a reduced temporary speed limit through the working area.

Certain elements of the project will require National Highways to close sections of the motorway network, but these will be planned to take place either overnight or on selected weekends to reduce the impact on surrounding local routes.

Up to date information about any required closures will be provided throughout the works via National Highways dedicated web page.