South Liverpool motorists can look forward to smoother journeys, thanks to the completion of a major upgrade of Smithdown Road – two weeks ahead of schedule.
Work will be completed on Wednesday 6 March on a brand new carriageway along the length of Smithdown Road, from Lodge Lane to Gainsborough Road.
The £1 million scheme has been made possible by a partnership between the City Council and Scottish Power. The utility company upgraded its power supply along the road last autumn, causing damage to the carriageway, which was already in poor condition.
Following negotiations with the city council, Scottish Power agreed to contribute £180,000 towards the cost of repairing the road. The council invested a further £820,000, to enable the carriageway to be completely replaced, instead of simply patched-up.
Work began on 14 January and was originally scheduled to finish on 20 March – but motorists, cyclists, residents and businesses have been given an extra boost by the scheme finishing two weeks early.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Tim Moore, said: “Smithdown Road is an important route, so it’s vital that the road surface is of a high quality. The new carriageway, which has been needed for a number of years, will bring major benefits to motorists, cyclists, residents and businesses for years to come.
“Our partnership with Scottish Power is great example of how we can work with the private sector to deliver improvements. We’ve worked really hard to keep disruption to a minimum, and it’s fantastic news that we have been able to reward local people and businesses for their patience by finishing the work ahead of schedule. I hope they will feel, when they see the brand new road, that the short-term delays have been worth it.”
Contractor, Hanson, will complete the final phase of work, between Underley Street and Lodge Lane, on Wednesday 6 March.
