Central Motorway

£9million of improvements, funded by government and us as part of the £41.4million investment that includes the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, began on the Central Motorway in August 2025 and we expect them  to be substanitally completed by the end of October, ahead of schedule.

These are the first major works on the route in over 20 years and is vital to ensure this key part of our highway infrastructure, used by up to 80,000 vehicles, a day remains in good condition and will protect against future deterioration. 

The works will focus on the 1970s concrete elevated viaduct, which runs from the Great North Road to the New Bridge Street roundabout. Much of this work will include joint replacement to the top of the deck and concrete repairs to the underside of the deck and its supporting structure. 

We have contracted VolkerStevin to undertake the work utilising the specialist expertise of VolkerLaser. They will replace all the 115 bridge deck joints along the 1,600-metre length of the viaduct.  

This will cause some disruption to travel during the works, and we advise drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys. If possible, we recommend you use alternative routes or switch to public transport. 

We appreciate there are other works in the area but these works are required to avoid any further deterioration of the Central Motorway viaduct. 

Traffic Restrictions 

We need to restrict traffic to allow us to complete the works safely. This will include lane closures and full road closures during the day and at night. 

We do not expect to close roads at weekends, but this may become necessary in future. We have worked hard to minimise disruption to the travelling public, but due to the location and the number of slip roads that feed into it, extensive disruption is unavoidable. 

You can view all current and upcoming road closures in Newcastle, and other areas, at one.network. 

Northbound lane restrictions are now removed, with southbound lane restrictions expected to be lifted by the end of August.

A contraflow will remain in place around Sandyford Road.

The overnight closures will also include some slip roads. 

Overnight closures will be delayed until 11pm when games are played at St James' Park to help travelling football fans get home. 

Southbound lane restrictions are now removed, with northbound lane restrictions to be removed by the end of August. A contraflow will remain in place on Sandyford Road as this is the last section of the motorway where works are ongoing.