New bridge to open as part of A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement scheme
A new bridge will open to traffic at Tollbar roundabout by 6am on Monday (11 April), marking a major milestone at the A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement scheme.
The bridge – on the western, A45 Stonebridge Highway side of the roundabout – is set to be completed overnight on Sunday 10 April in time for the morning traffic.
Traffic on the western side of the roundabout will be moved off the existing carriageway and onto the adjacent new bridge – following the final layout on this side of the roundabout.
Paul Nagra, project manager at Highways England, said:
The opening of the west bridge is a key milestone for the scheme, allowing us to start excavating through the existing roundabout to form the underpass.
Due to the change in road layout, I’d like to remind drivers to take extra care, follow the road signs and observe the speed limit to keep themselves and our road workers safe.
I’d also like to advise drivers to allow extra time for their journeys while people get accustomed to the new roundabout layout.
The new bridge is part of the A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement scheme, which will increase capacity, improve journey times and safety.
As part of the bridge opening, pedestrian and cycle routes around the roundabout will also change. A series of maps will be placed across the roundabout to aid pedestrians and cyclists, and people can visit the A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement scheme website to view the map and plan their journey ahead of time.
Overnight closures of the A45 Stonebridge Highway between Stivichall junction and Tollbar roundabout will be required between 8pm and 6am every night from Friday 8 April until the bridge opens on the morning of Monday 11 April. Diversions will be clearly signed.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys while the overnight closures take place.
All parties are continuing to work hard to open the project to traffic by December 2016.
Further information of the A45/A46 Tollbar End improvement scheme can be found on the scheme webpage.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.