29/09/2014
Work to build a new motorway junction to serve one of the region’s top business sites is reaching its final stage as the eastbound section is connected this weekend.
The eastbound exit slip road on the M54 junction two, which will serve i54 South Staffordshire, will be connected to the link to the A449 roundabout. In order for the work to be carried out, the eastbound slip road onto junction two will be closed from 8pm on Friday October 3 2014 until the morning of Monday October 6 2014. In addition, the whole eastbound carriageway of the M54 from junction three to junction two will need to be closed overnight on Sunday Oct 4 2014.
Diversion signs will be in place before the weekend.
The westbound new link roads and slip roads from the A449 to the motorway at junction two have now been completed and work is on schedule for opening by the end of November. Remaining work until then includes installing signs, drainage channels and street lighting.
The junction construction is a unique civil engineering project, led by Staffordshire County Council and carried out in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and South Staffordshire Council. It will extend junction two to provide a direct route onto i54 South Staffordshire.
i54 South Staffordshire is already a thriving business hub. Jaguar Land Rover’s new engine manufacturing centre is set to open soon and International Security Printers’ (ISP) new base has also been completed. Two companies have been operating on site for some time – Moog, which manufactures flight control systems for civil and military aircraft and employs 400 skilled employees and Eurofins, a leading scientific testing and analysis company, where 150 more people work.
Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader Mark Winnington said: “The i54 South Staffordshire development is unique as it is being delivered by a partnership of councils and is the first time a local authority has built a motorway junction. The junction is a vital component of the site as it provides direct access onto the M54 and the motorway network – a major attraction to businesses which need the best connections possible. Now the site is really starting to take shape which again demonstrates our commitment to deliver.
“We’d again like to thank people for their patience while work is carried out on the junction.”