Overnight closures on A1 to install temporary bridge
Drivers are advised that the A1 in North Yorkshire will be closed overnight this weekend (Saturday 4 July) for the installation of a temporary bridge on the A1 near Catterick.
The bridge will be erected to carry pedestrians and utility services over the A1 whilst the nearby Fort Overbridge is demolished and rebuilt as part of the major road scheme to upgrade the A1 to motorway standard between Leeming and Barton.
The northbound carriageway will be closed between junction 50 (Baldersby) and Scotch Corner. Southbound the carriageway will be closed between Scotch Corner and junction 51 (Leeming). The closure will take place from 8pm Saturday July 4 until 11am Sunday July 5.
Highways Agency project manager, Tom Howard, said:
This is a significant milestone for the scheme and a complex piece of engineering.
The closures have been carefully scheduled to minimise disruption to drivers and will be put in place when traffic flows are at their lowest. We thank drivers for their patience.
Clearly signed diversions will be in place and drivers are advised to allow an extra 15 to 30 minutes to their journey time.
Once completed the A1 Leeming to Barton scheme will unlock growth and boost the economy by creating a continuous motorway-standard route between London and Newcastle (including the M1 and A1M). It will also improve journey times and increase safety.
When the scheme opens to traffic in 2016/17, journey times between Leeming and Barton are expected to be reduced by approximately 20 per cent, and over a sixty-year period, the improvements are predicted to save around 20 lives and prevent around 450 serious accidents. The work is also estimated to generate 750 jobs in the construction industry over three years.
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.