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A14 Huntingdon: Weekend carriageway closures for bridge improvements

Government Communications (NDS)

6 January 2012

It will involve carriageway repairs and replacing the joints which allow the structures to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature.The A14 will be closed between the junctions, in one direction only, for seven consecutive weekends. There will also be a limited number of weekday overnight closures with work expected to be completed by the middle of March, weather permitting. Clearly signed diversions will be in place.Paul Sinfield, Highways Agency project sponsor, said: “Safety is our top priority and by replacing the joints on the bridges which carry the A14 over the River Ouse near Godmanchester we will ensure that safety is maintained on this busy trunk road. Periodic maintenance of this kind is essential, and by doing this work now we will minimise the risk of unplanned closures of the A14 in the future.“The most efficient and quickest way to carry out this work is by closing the carriageway at weekends and overnight when traffic flows are at their lowest. We advise drivers affected by it and by the diversion to allow extra time for their journey and take extra care when travelling along the diversion route.”The westbound carriageway will be closed from junction 24 Godmanchester to the Spittals Interchange (junction 23) for four consecutive weekends between 10pm on Friday nights, starting on Friday 13 January, and 5am on Monday mornings, The eastbound carriageway weekend closures will start on Friday 10 February for three weekends between 10pm on Friday nights and 5am on Monday mornings. There will also be up to eight overnight closures on either the westbound or eastbound carriageway on Mondays to Thursdays between 9pm and 6am, exact dates to be confirmed. The diversion routes, via the A1 and A428, are expected to add an extra 10 miles to journeys. This diversion route was selected as the most direct route for traffic leaving the A14 and means that diverted traffic will remain on roads suitable for that level of traffic .