A MAJOR road through Runcorn re-opens this week after 18 months of reconstruction.

THE main carriageway of the Central Expressway has been extensively re-configured as work on the approach roads to the Mersey Gateway continue to take shape.

Drivers will be able travel along the Central Expressway in both directions between the Southern Expressway and the Bridgewater and Daresbury Expressways.

When the six lane toll crossing opens in the autumn, this will be the main access route between the new bridge and junction 12 of the M56.

Hugh O’Connor, general manager of the Merseylink Consortium, said: “There have been significant improvements taking place up and down the length of the Central Expressway to create a free-flowing route to and from the new bridge.

“We’ve also improved the junction layouts in the area.

“Our team is working hard to put the finishing touches to this route.”

The re-opened road and the subsequent view of the three main bridge pylons in the river will give drivers a real idea of how it will feel to approach the new bridge from the Runcorn side of the river.

Work has been ongoing on various parts of the Central Expressway for the past 18 months to improve the layout of various junctions and to provide a free-flowing approach to the new bridge.

Construction activity is continuing in the Lodge Lane area to complete the new link from the Central Expressway to Weston Link and on towards the M56.

Mr O’Connor added: “I would like to remind everyone that until the full road network is open later this year that people should still allow extra time to complete their journeys.

“It will only be once all routes are open that we will be able to see the full benefits from the redeveloped road network.”

Access to the main carriageway of the Central Expressway from some slip roads remains closed.

Halton Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill said: “I’m pleased that this important route is going to be open soon as it is another demonstration that the project remains on track to open this autumn.”