End at last to M54 roadworks in Shropshire
It's a sight commuters have been waiting several months to see – Shropshire's M54 free of roadworks.
Workmen left the carriageway for good yesterday morning, bringing to an end bridge repairs which have lasted for more than six months.
Despite bad weather during the winter, the works have finished ahead of schedule and officials at the Highways Agency have praised motorists for their patience.
Lane closures have been in place while the work was carried out to repair the three bridges between junctions five and seven between Telford and Wellington.
Stretches of the motorway were also closed overnight on several occasions, while parts of the roundabout at junction six were also shut for several weeks.
The roadworks caused queues of traffic to build up during busy rush hour periods. In January queues stretched back almost two miles due to the closure of the west deck of the roundabout at junction six, causing anger among motorists.
Almost 4,000 drivers were captured on average speed cameras breaking a 50mph limit imposed in both directions during the work. In total 3,726 motorists have been handed £100 fines.
Dave Fawbert, spokesman for the Highways Agency, said a closure was in place on the M54 on Saturday night while road markings were repainted, but said that workmen had cleared away all road furniture by 7am yesterday.
