Drivers are being warned of delays on the A167(M) as roadworks progress on the busy Newcastle route.
A £9m programme of investment is taking place on the elevated viaduct section, which runs from Great North Road to the New Bridge Street roundabout in the city centre.
Engineers are making critical concrete repairs and joint replacements which has seen central motorway reduced to one lane in each direction during the daytime, as well as a series of overnight closures.
From June 1, the next phase of joint replacement works will see repairs made on the Northbound carriageway of the A167(M) Central Motorway between the Jesmond Road and Great North Road junctions which is expected to cause delays for northbound traffic. This will also impact those joining the northbound carriageway from Jesmond Road A1058.
This phase will last for approximately two weeks, although every effort will be made to complete the work sooner to minimise disruption.
Drivers are advised to plan ahead, use alternative routes where possible and allow more time for their journeys.
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.
Christine Herriot, Director of City Operations, Transport & Neighbourhoods at Newcastle City Council said: “Central motorway is a key part of the city’s transport infrastructure, and it is vital these works take place.
“As we have set out previously, it is a challenging location to work in without impacting on the transport network, but we have worked hard to minimise disruption where possible.
“We recognise that this next phase will cause delays for northbound traffic and create congestion for those joining from Jesmond Road (A1058) but every effort is being made to complete this phase as quickly as we can.
“We would like to thank drivers for their patience and ask them to plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and consider using alternative routes where possible as these vital works take place.”
Teams have been on site since August 2025 and work is progressing well on this key route to futureproof the structure as the last major maintenance was over 20 years ago.
Due to the viaduct’s location and the number of slip roads that feed into it, various closures are required as work progresses on sections of the viaduct’s soffit and piers throughout the programme, which is due to complete later this year.
The funding for the A167(M) upgrade, part of a package that also includes the Tyne Bridge, is 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 a number of bridge deck joints, whilst also undertaking critical concrete repairs to the viaduct including the soffit and piers of the northbound carriageway.
Cathodic protection will also be installed as a protective measure against further deterioration, extending the service life of this key structure.