Motorists on the M60 were hit by delays lane closures for hours after a gas leak.
Two lanes of the motorway were shut in both directions between junction 16 at Kearsley and junction 17 at Whitefield.
The closures started after 1am today, and the lanes were re-opened at about 1pm.
Highways England said there was a leak in a gas pipe under the motorway.
Officers made the pipe safe, but the lanes remained closed while the owner of the pipe carried out an inspection in daylight.
The closure caused queues in both directions of the M60 and also affected drivers on the southbound carriageway of the M61.
In the early hours, at 1.21am, Highways England tweeted: "The #M60 both directions #J16 (#Salford #Kearsley) to #J17 (#Whitefield #Prestwich #A56) 2 lanes have been closed due to an incident. Traffic Officers & Maintenance Crews are currently at the scene."
Highways England said a permanent repair is likely to be completed in the future during an overnight motorway closure.
