Motorists are being warned about five months of potential misery when work to improve a section of the M42 motorway gets underway.
Road works will get underway on Monday to increase the number of lanes linking the M42 at junction 6 to Birmingham Airport and the NEC.
Highways agency officials are hoping the £2.5 million works will ease congestion and improve journeys for travellers catching flights or attending events at the NEC or the National Motorcycle Museum.
The project is part of a £317 million government scheme which is providing cash for projects which will boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays.
Work will also start on widening the A45 Coventry Road eastbound to four lanes at the approach to junction 6 of the M42 and widening the roundabout to provide four lanes.
Currently the area is hit by huge congestion at busy times when large events are taking place nearby and there is a busy flight schedule at the airport.
The work will start at 8pm on Monday and continue until 6am the next day, and carry on during nights until October. There will also be occasional full closures, which will be advised in advance with well-signed diversion routes. From mid-July work will commence on the A45 eastbound exit slip.
Drivers are being warned to leave extra time for their journeys and check the Highways Agency website for alternative routes.
Highways Agency project manager Debbie Makinde said real consideration had been given to minimising disruption to all road users and local businesses at this vital junction.
"We're well aware what a busy location this is and that is the very reason we are carrying out this important pinch point project," she said.
"We have liaised thoroughly with the NEC, airport, museum and others to ensure the work causes as little inconvenience as possible.
"We've given it careful thought and have suggested alternative routes, which will be clearly signed from the local road and motorway network."
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