The motorway linking Manchester to North Wales - the M56 - is getting a £12 million revamp.
Highways England has announced a series of maintenance schemes along a 28-mile long stretch.
The whole project is expected to take 12 months to complete.
There will be reduced speed limits and lane closures, Highways England said.
But the agency said the work would increase the motorway's capacity and include a new, smoother surface.
The project will include replacing the central reservation barrier near Warrington, revamping a viaduct near Helsby and resurfacing the motorway near Ellesmere Port.
Work is due to start next month.
At the same time, a project will start to improve drainage on the section of the M56 near Manchester Airport - between junctions six and eight - ahead of a major upgrade.
Gary Knowles, Highways England's head of scheme delivery in the north west, said: "The M56 provides an important link between Manchester and Wales, and we need to carry out a series of maintenance improvements to keep drivers safe and support essential journeys across the region.
"The smoother road surface, better drainage and new central reservation barrier will improve safety for drivers, whether they're travelling to and from work, getting food to supermarkets or delivering medical supplies to hospitals.
"We're doing everything we can to keep workers safe and would urge drivers to do their bit too by sticking to the speed limit for their own and our road workers' safety."
Separately, Highways England has confirmed a bridge maintenance scheme is also due to start this weekend at a junction on the A55, along the route from the M56 which links Chester to Wrexham in North Wales.
The eastern bridge on the junction 38 roundabout will be closed from 9pm on Friday, May 1 until 5am on Monday, May 4 for waterproofing work, with a diversion in place for traffic travelling south along the A483 from Chester.
The western bridge on the roundabout will also be closed from 9pm on Thursday, May 7 until 5am on Sunday, May 10, affecting drivers heading north towards Chester on the A483.
Highways England said some slip road restrictions would be needed at the junction during both weekends.
