Overnight closure of A1 Gateshead Western Bypass for football bridge demolition upcoming.
The A1 motorway is set for significant improvements as Highways England prepares for a major bridge replacement project, starting on the weekend of June 5. The work, which aims to add an extra lane on a four-mile stretch of the A1, will result in temporary road closures and diversions.
From June 5 to 6, the northbound side of the A1 will be closed between junction 67 Coal House and junction 73 Derwenthaugh, while the southbound side will be closed between junction 69 at Gateshead Quays and junction 67 Coal House. These closures will take place between 8pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday to minimize disruption.
During the weekend closure, traffic will be diverted via St Neots Road through Little Barford, then onto the A428, rejoining the A1 at Wyboston. Drivers are advised to allow extra time to complete their journeys due to the bridge replacement work. Lorry drivers, due to height and weight restrictions, will need to use the A167 as an alternative route.
The removal of the existing bridge has been planned carefully to minimize disruption to road users. The bridge replacement work will also improve safety for the road improvement team and visibility for people traveling along the road.
Lynne Biddles, Project Manager at Highways England, thanks local residents for their patience and understanding during the bridge replacement work. She stated, "The scheme aims to provide a link for local road users and help keep traffic moving on the A1."
Highways England encourages the public to stay informed about the project by visiting their website at www.highways.our website/roads/road-projects/a1-coal-house-to-metro-centre-improvement. For general enquiries, contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000. Media enquiries should be directed to the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448.
In addition to the A1 improvements, the DFI Minister in Northern Ireland has indicated plans to proceed with safety improvements to the A1, although specific details about bridge demolition and construction timelines are yet to be announced. The A1, A421, and A428 will generally remain open during construction works, with occasional overnight closures and weekend closures planned to minimize disruptions.
Once the bridge replacement work is complete, a footbridge will be built at a later date to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, further enhancing the safety and accessibility of the A1.
In light of the bridge replacement project on the A1 motorway, financiers in the automotive industry may need to consider alternative routes for the transportation of goods, as lorry drivers will be diverted via St Neots Road and the A428 during the weekend closure. Furthermore, the completion of this project will not only provide a safer route for road users but also enhance facilities for pedestrians and cyclists with the addition of a footbridge.
