Final M55 overnight closures for Preston Western Distributor junction

Overhead view of the new M55 ‘junction 2’ Pic: National Highways

Final overnight closures of the M55 are taking place ahead of the junction with the Preston Western Distributor being completed.

No date has yet been given for when the new road, linking the M55 to Preston Docks, is to open but it is understood to be ‘just weeks away’.

The M55 closures are 9pm to 6am on Tuesday (30 May) for both the eastbound and westbound carriageway.

On Wednesday (31 May) and Thursday (1 June) at the same timings the eastbound carriageway will close.

On Friday (2 June) both the eastbound and westbound carriageway will be closed, again between 9pm to 6am.

The closure is between Junction 1 (Broughton) and Junction 3 (Wesham).

Signed diversion routes will be in place.

An aerial view of the new M55 ‘junction 2’ Pic: National Highways

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “The new junction – the ‘missing’ junction 2 – is currently being built along the M55 as part of the wider Preston Western Distributor Road project. Lancashire County Council and main contractor Costain are delivering the PWDR scheme and are building the new junction for National Highways.

“When the motorway re-opens on Saturday 3 June, the eastbound carriageway will be restored to normal running arrangements with lane one re-opened and the 70mph speed limit in place.

“The lane one closure and 50mph speed limit along the westbound carriageway will be lifted at the same time as the new junction and new link road, between the M55 and A583 at Lea via Bartle, are opened. The date for this will be announced soon, ahead of the opening of the new road.”