Drivers warned of further restrictions on Central Motorway A167(M)
An upgrade to the A167(M) in Newcastle, will see further lane restrictions and overnight closures, as the major scheme progresses.
Starting on 6 October, Central Motorway will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the daytime for the next 16 months. Various overnight closures, including key slips roads, will also be required as part of a £9m investment into a key part of the city’s transport network.
Engineers are making critical concrete repairs and joint replacements to the elevated viaduct, which runs from the Great North Road to the New Bridge Street roundabout in the city centre. The vital works are needed to future-proof the structure as the last major maintenance was over 20 years ago.
Lane restrictions and weekday overnight closures have been in place on the northbound carriageway since mid-August, which has had minimal impact on the travelling public so far. But with the additional lane closure, heavy congestion is expected at peak times and people are advised to plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and use public transport where possible.
People travelling across the region are advised to avoid travel through the centre of Newcastle and stay on the major trunk roads and use other cross river crossings such as the A1, A19, Tyne Tunnel and Scotswood Bridge.
Cllr Juna Sathian, cabinet member for transport and climate at Newcastle City Council, said: “These are vital works to ensure that Newcastle has robust transport infrastructure on one of the busiest routes in the city.
“With the Tyne Bridge undergoing restoration works which has reduced it to one lane in each direction, we have seen more people reroute which has greatly reduced the impact of the current restrictions on Central Motorway, however with A167 (M) reduced to one lane in each direction from next week , we are expecting heavy congestion at peak times and are asking drivers to plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and use public transport where possible.
“As we have set out previously, Newcastle is open for business during these works, and we will continue to coordinate with other authorities on other roadworks schemes taking place across the region.”
The funding for the A167 (M) upgrade, is part of a funding package which also includes the Tyne Bridge, which are funded by the UK Government and Newcastle City Council.
VolkerStevin has been contracted to undertake the work utilising the specialist expertise of VolkerLaser. Their team will replace every bridge deck joint, of which there are 115, with an overall length of 1,600 metres. In addition, they will undertake critical concrete repairs to the viaduct including the soffit and piers of the northbound carriageway. A cathodic protection system will also be installed as a protective measure against further deterioration, extending the service life of this key structure.
For more information on the scheme visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/A167M
