Work has started on a new junction on the M181 motorway which will ease traffic congestion in Scunthorpe and open up land for the Lincolnshire Lakes development.
The new £4.5 million junction will connect to a new east to west link road between the M181 and Scotter Road.
It has been funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP via the Government's Growth Deal.
The roundabout will also unlock 60 acres of land for commercial development, enable the building of new homes and ease congestion in Scunthorpe, particularly at Berkeley Circle.
On Friday contractors Esh Construction updated Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, and MPs Holly Mumby-Croft (Scunthorpe) and Andrew Percy (Brigg & Goole).
Later in the year another roundabout will be built by Highways England at the northern end of the M181 connecting it to Burringham Road. This new junction will also act as a bypass for Burringham village. The M181 will then be detrunked and will no longer be a motorway.
Pat Doody commented: “At this difficult time, with the impacts of Covid 19 being felt worldwide, it is vital that that we continue to invest in the UK's core infrastructure to open up key strategic sites.
“LEP funding of this crucial junction scheme will ultimately enable development of new employment and significant levels of housing for Scunthorpe in partnership with Homes England, but it will also contribute to the wider place and its economic recovery.”
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I am delighted that work has really kicked off on the £4.5m scheme that will unlock land for development to transform North Lincolnshire’s economy and at the same time ease congestion.
“This investment in the infrastructure will provide the green light for the Lincolnshire Lakes development as a whole. Lincolnshire Lakes is a game changer for North Lincolnshire’s economy and will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the area.
“The new junction will also ease congestion in North Lincolnshire, particularly at Berkley Circle.
“Now is the right time to invest in the infrastructure of the area – building for the future, promoting growth, and protecting jobs in the construction industry.”
The construction work will take 48 weeks.
