Part of the A1(M) will remain partially closed this evening and into Friday morning after an collision involving a lorry striking a bridge just outside Durham.
Junction 60 Northbound at Bradbury will remain shut as emergency repairs are made to the safety barrier which was damaged in the incident.
The lorry driver was taken to hospital with chest injuries after the one-vehicle crash that took place shortly before 7am on Thursday morning.
Police confirmed that the driver was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
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National Highways: North East said: 'Drivers travelling through County Durham are being advised the northbound A1(M) at junction 60 at Bradbury is closed for emergency safety barrier repairs and will remain closed beyond this evening’s peak travel period and into tomorrow morning.
'The repairs are needed after a lorry struck the a bridge over the A1(M) at junction 60 earlier today - damaging the nearside safety barrier.
'An ‘off and on’ diversion with drivers using the junction exit and entry slip roads to leave and immediately re-join the A1(M) via the junction roundabout is in place. However, drivers are advised to seek alternative routes this afternoon and this evening should they wish to avoid likely congestion.
'The emergency barrier repairs are required to protect the bridge and ensure the northbound carriageway can safely re-open to traffic. While these are expected to be completed before midnight the road was due to be closed tonight anyway for other roadworks in the area. The scheduled closure of the northbound carriageway between junction 59 and junction 60, with a signed diversion in place, will still be taking place between 8pm and 6am.
'Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNEast – National Highways’ regional Twitter feed.'
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