Testo's Roundabout closure warning as next phase of flyover is lifted into place

The bridge is being installed over the existing interchange as part of the £124.5million upgrade of the busy junction so that it is ready to take an increase in demand for traffic in years to come.

It will be closed from 8pm on Friday, September 18, until 6am on Monday, September 21, in the second of three weekend closures.

The initial closure, on the first weekend of this month, saw sections of the flyover being lifted into place onto supporting walls, with further beams since added to the structure.

The final 1,393 tonne flyover will be made up of 25-paired girders, the largest measuring 33 metres in length, while the heaviest pair weighing in at around 60 tonnes.

A 1,000 tonne has been brought in to do the lifting work and can be seen by drivers on the roundabout ready to continue the work.

But to allow it to be carried out safely, Highways England has said closures are needed, allowing the cross-sections to be hoisted into place.

This weekend’s closure will be followed by another over next weekend from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27.

Diversions will be in place, with northbound traffic to use the A1231 Sunderland Highway, A195, A194(M) and A194 Leam Lane, and the reverse route will be available for southbound traffic.

There will be alternatives for non-motorway traffic.

The completed flyover will allow traffic on the A19 to continue on without the need to negotiate the roundabout, with sliproads to link up to it from the A184 Newcastle Road.

The project will allow for an increase in predicted for the area once the International Automotive Manufacturing Park (IAMP) is built next to Nissan and also aims to cut the problem of exisiting congestion in the area.

Traffic through the junction is expected to reach 83,400 vehicles every day by 2033, while the project will also improve safety for drivers, cyclists and horse riders.

A scheme to upgrade the junction at Downhill Lane is also on the way.

For more on the project, which began in March last year and is expected to be complete next summer, visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/a19-testos-junction-improvement/.

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