The M62, one of the UK’s busiest roads, was closed in both directions on Tuesday morning after a pedestrian was killed shortly after midnight.
Greater Manchester police said emergency services were called to a collision between a car and an adult male at 12.15am.
The pedestrian, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 25-year-old man who remained at the scene was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was taken into custody for further questioning.
Police closed the motorway between Birchwood and Eccles – junctions 11 and 12 – in both directions and said it would remain closed for most of the morning. Drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible.
Diversions were in place but the closure led to long delays and reports of gridlock on the M62 and surrounding roads. National Highways North-West said there were delays of at least an hour eastbound on the motorway. There were also delays of up to 45 minutes on the M6 southbound approaching junction 21A.
Traffic England said roads were not expected to clear until 2pm.
The incident had a ripple effect on public transport with Greater Manchester’s new joined up Bee Network transport system warning of congested roads surrounding the M62. “As a result, bus services will be significantly delayed,” it said.
