Flyover roundabout to close for 24 days
Gateshead CouncilDrivers should expect "significant disruption" while a roundabout is closed to make way for the demolition of a flyover, a council has said.
The Gateshead flyover was closed to traffic last year after it was found to be unsafe and work to demolish the ageing structure began in April.
The next phase of the work will require the Five Bridges roundabout to shut from 21 June to 16 July and a number of diversions will be put in place.
Gateshead Council's Anneliese Hutchinson said the local authority was working to minimise the disruption and the town centre remained "open for business".
"We're encouraging as many people as possible to get on the bus or the Metro to minimise congestion while certain roads or junctions have to be closed," she said.
For longer journeys, the council has advised drivers to choose alternative routes and use main roads such as the A1 and A19 wherever possible.
The council will fund a shuttle bus to serve residents of Sunderland Road, where some bus services will be diverted.
Gateshead CouncilThe bus lane on Durham Road, to the west of Five Bridges roundabout, will also be temporarily suspended to allow northbound traffic to reach the town centre.
On the east side of the roundabout, traffic will be able to travel in both directions between Sunderland Road and Old Durham Road, once the roundabout is shut.
The council said it will also install traffic lights on Bensham Road roundabout to help improve traffic flow.
It is changing access to the Tesco car park at Trinity Square.
Drivers will be able to enter Lambton Street from the High Street and Oakwellgate junction, but will be able to leave the car park in either direction.
Once Five Bridges roundabout is reopened, work will move on to Park Lane roundabout and details of further road closures will be released in the coming weeks.
