Further traffic restrictions in Newcastle as central motorway upgrade progresses
Teams working on a multi-million improvement plan for the Newcastle Central Motorway have said work is “progressing well” ahead of the introduction of further traffic management.
The busy Newcastle route has been undergoing a £9 million investment since August 2025, with the motorway reduced to one lane in each direction during the daytime.
Engineers are making critical concrete repairs and joint replacements to the elevated viaduct, which runs from the Great North Road to the New Bridge Street roundabout in the city centre.
The vital works are needed to futureproof the structure as the last major maintenance was over 20 years ago.
Due to the viaduct’s location and the number of slip roads that feed into it, various closures are required as work progresses on sections of the viaduct’s soffit and piers.
The road closures are necessary to protect the safety of the workforce as these critical repairs get underway.
This includes Rose Bridge, which runs over central motorway, is closed in one direction until mid-June.
The slip road from central motorway northbound to the Great North Road, will be fully closed to traffic from 24 April for approximately two weeks.
Various weekday overnight closures of the northbound and southbound carriageway will also be required throughout the duration of the project.
People travelling across the region are advised to avoid travel through the centre of Newcastle and stay on the major trunk roads and use other cross river crossings such as the A1, A19, Tyne Tunnel and Scotswood Bridge.
Christine Herriot, Director of City Operations, Transport & Neighbourhoods at Newcastle City Council said: “Work is progressing well as we future-proof a key part of the city’s transport network, which is used by up to 80,000 vehicles a day.
“It is a challenging location to work in, but having closures in place allows us unrestricted access to the works areas, which are above live traffic lanes. It also allows us to minimise the overall duration of the works and to minimise the cost impact, as well as make it safer for the workforce and the public.
“We recognise that these works are disruptive to the travelling public, particularly with the overnight closures and various slip road closures, but it is important that these works take place to ensure we have robust infrastructure in Newcastle to help keep the city moving.”
The funding for the A167 (M) upgrade, is part of a funding package which also includes the Tyne Bridge, which are funded by the UK Government and Newcastle City Council.
The 16-month project is due to be completed by January 2027 and VolkerStevin has been contracted to undertake the work, utilising the specialist expertise of VolkerLaser.
Their team will replace a number of bridge deck joints, whilst also undertaking critical concrete repairs to the viaduct including the soffit and piers of the northbound carriageway.
A cathodic protection system will also be installed as a protective measure against further deterioration, extending the service life of this key structure.