A smart motorway upgrade on the M56 near Manchester Airport is now complete, National Highways said.
Work was carried out on a four-mile stretch of the motorway between junction six, just south of the airport, and junction eight for the A556. In March, a fourth lane was implemented though speeds were restricted to 60mph.
Now, after testing the technology 'which detects stopped vehicles', the speed limit has been increased to 70mph. The smart motorway between these junctions will now operate as normal.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
Highways bosses said 'motorists who get into difficulty' can use the four new emergency areas created on the stretch of the motorway. Two are on each carriageway.
National Highways said: "Drivers will have a place to stop in an emergency every 1.07 miles on average. Someone travelling at 70mph will reach a place to stop in an emergency every 66 seconds.
"Emergency areas must only be used in an emergency. They provide a safer place to stop than a hard shoulder, are set back from the carriageway and are also wider than a hard shoulder. They are designed to a standard 100 metres in length, with a 30-metre central stopping area.
"Motorists must use the emergency telephone provided and follow the operator’s advice for exiting the emergency area. We’d like to say thank you to everyone for their co-operation and understanding while this work was carried out."
As part of a separate £2.4million project, lanes two and three of both sides of the motorway will be resurfaced between junction six and seven. These works are due to be finished by the end of July.
Most of the work will be carried out overnight with some overnight road closures put in place.
