Motorists face weekend closures on A19 and Tyne Tunnel

Drivers are set for a weekend of disruption as work goes on to improve North East transport links in years to come.

Highways England has said work will take place this weekend to fully open the new southboundlanesontheA19at Testo’s roundabout in Boldon so work to construct the flyover can continue as part of the £124.5 million project.

Meanwhile, the northbound Tyne Tunnel will be closed–leavingalltraffictouse the southbound route – while maintenance is carried out.

In December traffic started to use the new northbound lanes and the work this weekend will now mean traffic will usethenewlanesinbothdirections while the flyover to carry the A19 over the roundabout is being built.

To carry out the traffic switch the road will be closed until 6am on Monday.

Afullysigneddiversionwill be in place.

The upgrade will see the A19 raised above the existing Testo’s roundabout and new slip roads built to connect it to the A184.

This will create a freeflowing A19 as drivers will no longer need to negotiate a junction, and can instead continue uninterrupted.

Meanwhile, Tyne Tunnel operator TT2 Limited is advising customers to allow extra time for journeys this weekend as the northbound tunnel is set to close for essential maintenance.

Customers will be directed to use the southbound tunnel, which will operate as both north and southbound crossing, while the maintenance takes place.

Thiscouldleadtoincreased congestion, which may cause a slightly longer journey time may be required. The northbound tunnel will be closed from6amonSaturdayuntilapproximately 7pm on Sunday .