With a width of some 40m, the superspan gantries stretch across both the north and southbound carriageways and will house latest technology to keep drivers informed on journeys.

Highways England Smart Motorway Project Sponsor, Peter Smith, said: “This is the first time we have attempted to install two superspan gantries in one night on this scheme and it was quite a challenge to get them both put in place and the M6 open by 8am.

“Thanks to careful planning and the efforts of the team on the night, everything went smoothly and we were able to get the motorway open shortly after 6am to minimise disruption for motorists.”

The M6 was closed between junctions 14 (Stafford north) and 15 (Stoke-on-Trent) to enable the huge structures to be installed.

The motorway closed at 9pm on Saturday and was due to be open again by 8am on Sunday with both gantries in place.

The gantries were built off-site and were transported to the M6 site on trailers.

On Saturday they were then lowered onto pre-constructed foundations and posts using a 160-tonne John Sutch crane.