Essential work is set to be carried out on the roundabout of the A1 at junction 67 (Coal House) near Gateshead.
As part of the A1 Birtley to Coal House improvement, National Highways will be installing scaffolding on the Kingsway bridge which will then allow engineers to carry out hydrodemolition– using high-pressure water to remove concrete at the end of the bridge piers to enable the bridge to be extended.
It means the southern section of the roundabout will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the next two weeks, starting from late evening on Sunday 10 July.
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The southern part of the roundabout on the A1 at junction 67 will closed for vital bridge work
National Highways project Manager Russell Mclean said: “We appreciate this closure will be disruptive for road users and residents but it’s not something we are doing lightly. It’s vital we carry out this work as it will enable us to extend the bridge to take the new lanes of traffic we are providing as part of this major upgrade of the A1.
“Once the concrete from the current structure has been removed it will enable us to create an extension which new bridge beams will eventually be lifted on to. These beams will form the basis of the additional lanes.
“During the closure we advise people to allow extra time for their journeys and follow the signed diversions.”
Traffic from the A1 southbound wanting to leave at junction 67 for Lamesley, Kibblesworth or Lady Park will be directed further south to junction 65 ( Birtley ), to turn around and head back north to junction 67.
Any traffic leaving Kingsway or Chowdene Bank should travel along the A1 southbound, turn at junction 65, then head north to junction 67. Vehicles wishing to travel north on the A1 from Team Valley should use Kingsway North to access the A1 northbound at junction 68 Lobley Hill.
Local residents are advised that the method being used means some disturbance is unavoidable, but National Highways will make every effort to minimise noise and levels will be monitored regularly throughout. In addition, site workers are briefed on working responsibly in the local community.
Later this year there will be a second two-week closure, this time of the northern section of the roundabout to allow the same work to be completed on the other ide of the bridge.
The A1 Birtley to Coal House project will enhance journey times and safety and boost the North East’s economy by widening the road from three to four lanes between junctions 65 and 67 on the southbound carriageway and three lanes between junctions 65 and 67 on the northbound carriageway.
The existing Allerdene railway bridge, which carries the A1 over the East Coast Main Line, will be replaced and the bridges at junctions 66 and 67 widened to accommodate the additional lanes.
National Highways will also introduce electronic signage to provide driver information along the road. The location of these signs has been agreed with Gateshead Council and in consultation with Antony Gormley’s studio in order to consider views of The Angel of the North. The iconic statue’s setting will be improved with tree planting within the boundary of the scheme to maximise visibility of the Angel.
The upgrade, which is due to open to traffic in Spring 2025, is being delivered by Costain Jacobs Partnership.
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