Road closures set to cause disruption to A19 motorists

TYNESIDE motorists are facing more road closures this week around the Silverlink roundabout on the A19.

Major roadworks have been ongoing for several months as part of a £75m package of upgrades being carried out by Highways England. The central focus of the project, which is due for completion in March 2019, is the construction of a triple-decker roundabout at the Silverlink junction.

Drivers who use the road regularly are no strangers to disruption – and more is to follow later this week. There will be overnight closures northbound between Silverlink roundabout and the Holystone junction and the entry from today until Friday between the hours of 8pm and 6am.

Exit slip roads on the A1058 eastbound carriageway will be closed during the same periods with diversions in place.

There will also be a 24-hour 30mph speed restriction with narrow lanes for the duration of this period.

Highways England said the upgrades will lead to reduced journey times, reduce congestion and improve safety for thousands of drivers who use the junction daily.

The work involves lowering the A19 beneath the existing A1058 Coast Road and roundabout, forming three layers – the Coast Road on top, a junction in the middle and the A19 on the bottom.

The scheme also involves building new bridges at the junction, new slip roads and two footbridges for pedestrians and cyclists.