A multi-million pound scheme to transform a major town centre junction, accommodate cyclists and pedestrians better, and ease congestion will start on Monday (May 11).
The improvements at the junction of Trinity Street, Newport Street and Thynne Street are part of a revolutionary scheme designed to make journeys quicker and safer for everyone.
When work is complete it will be only the second CYcle Optimised Protected Signals Design (CYCLOPS) junction in Greater Manchester.
The principal feature of a CYCLOPS junction is an orbital cycle route that separates cyclists from other modes of traffic.
The upgrades being delivered at the junction will see the implementation of enhanced facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, providing a link into the wider cycling network in Bolton, whilst also delivering benefits to road users in terms of journey time savings and reliability.
The £2.4m project has been funded by the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal.
It is being delivered by Bolton Council and Transport for Greater Manchester as part of a set of wider highway improvements included within the Salford Bolton Network Improvements Programme.
Work is expected to last approximately eight months.
The majority of the resurfacing work will be undertaken at nights or at weekends but some road closures may be required. Dates and details of any closures will be posted in advance on site.
The junction will remain open to traffic at all other times.
The work will be carried out by Bethell Construction – a Bolton based company.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Stuart Haslam, said: “This is a major road project and an innovative junction design.
“It will provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians, reduce the possibility of collisions and help traffic to move better around the town centre.
“Given the unprecedented situation we are now currently in, I am really pleased that a local contractor will be starting work next week, with safety measures in place adhering to national guidance.
“We are committed to improving our highways and these upgrades will make a crucial junction more efficient for all users. Once all the junction upgrades in the Network Improvement Programme are complete, there will be increased capacity for traffic.
“Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum and we would like to thank residents and road users for their patience while work is carried out.”
TfGM’s Head of Highways, Peter Boulton, said: “Junctions are where most collisions occur and can be difficult to navigate for people on bikes and walking.
“Our UTC traffic engineers have come up with the CYCLOPS junction design that makes foot and bike travel far safer and more direct without disrupting other modes.”