Part of the A2 is set to close this weekend as workers install a large bridge near Bean in Dartford, likely prompting traffic chaos.
Highways England are installing a new flyover as part of a huge infrastructure project which will see improvements made to the junction between Dartford and Gravesend.
The closure of the A2 was actually scheduled for the start of the month, but was postponed after the company building the bridge beams went into administration.
Highways England have now scheduled the closure from 10pm on Friday, August 20 to 6am on Monday, August 23.
This will see the closure of Bean Lane bridge in both directions and the full closure of the A2 London-bound carriageway from Ebbsfleet to the M25, plus the closure of the A2 coastbound between the exit and entry slip road at Bean.
Local businesses remain open during the weekend, and fully signed local and regional diversion routes will be in place.
Costing £122 million, the project will see workers make the roundabout to the north of the A2 at Bean junction "significant bigger" and controlled by traffic lights", whilst the roundabout to the south of the A2 will also be made bigger.
There will be a new bridge over the A2 to provide extra capacity, located to the east of the existing Bean Lane bridge. This existing bridge will then be used for northbound traffic, and a new slip road constructed onto the A2 for eastbound traffic.
For Ebbsfleet junction the proposals will broadly follow the existing road layout with enlarged roundabouts controlled by traffic lights. The road between the roundabouts will be widened to a dual carriageway. The slip roads from the A2 will be retained and the slip roads to the A2 widened.
The overhaul of the junction is planned due to increasing numbers of homes being built in the area over the coming years with 15,000 in the pipeline for Ebbsfleet Garden City.
Regional Diversions
- A2 London-bound traffic from the M2 - Exit the M2 at junction 3 onto A229 or junction 5 onto A249, then use M20 to join the M25 at junction 3, then exit the M25 at junction 2 to re-join the A2
- A2 coastbound from Surrey / Hampshire - Exit the M25 at junction 5, then use the M26, M20 and either the A229 or A249 to join the M2
- A2 coastbound traffic from Kent / Essex - Exit the M25 at junction 3, then use the M20 and either the A249 or A229 to join the M2
Highways England said they apologised for the delay in delivering this work, but will continue to send out regular updates via texts, tweets and on their website.
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