Dash cam footage shows what it's like to drive over new Testo's flyover as A19 traffic is able to pass over roundabout for the first time

The flyover Testo’s Roundabout at Boldon opened to traffic for the first time today, Monday, June 7, after 27 months of work to create the new stretch of the route.

It means motorists no long have to negotiate the junction with the A184 Newcastle Road and can continue north or south without stopping, with new sliproads created to join up with the A19

The project will help reduce congestion and make journeys safer, helping to deal with an increase in traffic as the new International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) is built next to Nissan, with an estimated 83,400 vehicles expected to use the road each day by 2033.

The route opened early today, with our photographer capturing his journey through a dashcam, while Highways England has also shared photos taken using a drone, capturing vehicles as they passed over the 142-metre 1,392 tonne bridge.

Further restrictions are to be in place as the finishing stages of the scheme are put into place, with Highways England thanking drivers for their patience so far and asking for a little more understanding as the last sections of work are carried out.

Improvements are also ongoing at Downhill Lane, which will also help handle a rise in vehicle numbers as the new business park opens up, with the site predicted to create up to 7850 new jobs and attract £295 million investment by 2026/27.

For more information about the Testo’s scheme follow @HighwaysNEAST on Twitter and visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/a19-testo-s-junction/.

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