Bridge work starts for A1 upgrade

ESSENTIAL work is being 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 last night.

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.

“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.

There will be another two-week closure later in the year to allow work on the northern section of the roundabout.

The upgrade, which is due to open to traffic in spring 2025, is being delivered by Costain Jacobs Partnership.