Work has begun to build a new link road on the M62 after contractor John Sisk & Son was appointed, with the wider project worth £150m and set to bring thousands of jobs to the area.
The new access route will be created from junction 19 of the M62 directly into the Heywood employment area off Pilsworth Road.
The new road is expected to support the creation of 1,000 new homes, a new primary school, and over 135,000m2 of employment space.
It is estimated that the project, led by Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency in conjunction with Russell Homes, will create around 2,800 jobs, with the overall development value of the scheme valued at around £150m.
Sisk, which was appointed in autumn, has already undertaken advanced preparatory works, with traffic management measures set to be introduced to enable the project to progress.
Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for Quality of Place at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The new link road will bring huge long term benefits for residents and businesses.
"It will reroute HGV traffic away from Heywood town centre, as well as Birch and Bowlee, significantly reducing congestion in these residential areas, while making it quicker and easier for business to move their vehicles between the motorway and Heywood and Hareshill Distribution Parks.
“I’m pleased that work on this game changing project is now underway, with construction of the road set to be completed next year. And, with major improvements also planned for Simister Island, this is yet another boost to our borough’s abundant transport system.”
The project has already attracted £22m of external funding, with support from Highways England, Transport for Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The milestone follows the announcement from Highways England that it has selected its preferred option for a major upgrade of the Simister Island junction following a public consultation last year, improving links between the M60, M62 and M66.
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Construction work is due to start by spring 2025. The changes will reduce congestion in the Heywood area and improve journey times for the borough’s residents and businesses.
Preparatory works including the closure of Hareshill Road to through traffic and temporary two-way traffic lights on Manchester Road have already been carried out.
Nick Culshaw, MD, 海角视频 Civils and Rail at John Sisk & Son, said: “Sisk is delighted to begin works at at J19 of the M62 and be part of this major regeneration scheme. We look forward to working with all stakeholders and the local community of Heywood and surrounding areas to deliver the new link road.
"We see this project as an opportunity to create genuine social value through our support of SMEs, local job creation and support of local education.”