Main construction work has started on the triple decker roundabout in North Tyneside, which will reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability for the thousands of drivers who use it every day.
Over the past couple of months Highways England contractors have been carrying out preparatory work such as clearing the roundabout of vegetation and creating a temporary road layout around the A19 Coast Road roundabout as part of the £75 million scheme.
Traffic is already using the new layout on the northern side of the roundabout which has to be in place so the workforce can work safely. After Christmas drivers will start using the new layout on the southern side.
Highways England project manager Julie Alexander said:
“This is a great milestone in the project which will see work start on creating the third layer of the roundabout. This is a complex piece of engineering which has required some careful planning and once complete will bring real benefits for drivers in the North Tyneside area and to the wide economy.
“We are aware of some of the issues drivers are having with increased traffic around Hadrian’s Park and we are working closely with North Tyneside Council to address the problems.
“We have also agreed to look at the possibility of shortening the area affected by the reduced speed limit on the westbound carriageway on the A1058 Coast Road and are working with Northumbria Police on this. Obviously the safety of our workforce is our top priority and this must always come first.”
This week the main piling work started on the northern side of the roundabout which will create the start of the underpass.
As this progresses closer to the bridge that carries the A1058 Coast Road a contraflow system will be put in place on the westbound carriageway. This will, which allows traffic to travel in both directions, will be on the westbound carriageway. This will be implemented in the new year.
This piling work will form the new support for the A1058 road ahead of the underpass being dug out. By lowering the A19 beneath the existing A1058 Coast Road and roundabout this will create the third layer of the roundabout.
Drivers will also see major drainage work starting over the next few months between the roundabout and the A193 junction and piling work will start on the new slip roads on the A19.
Piling work around Middle Engine Lane has been completed. There are 100 piles, each are 600mm in diameter and are 9 metres deep.
For further information about the scheme please visit http://roads.highways.gov.uk/