Major road repairs in the heart of Newcastle could finish weeks ahead of schedule. The £9 million renovation works on the Central Motorway began exactly a year ago and have led to major disruption on one of the North East’s busiest routes, with traffic reduced down to one lane in each direction.
Project Ahead of Schedule
It was originally thought that the critical concrete repairs and joint replacements on the A167(M) viaduct would take up to 18 months, scheduled to finish in early 2027. But Newcastle City Council chiefs now say that the project should be substantially complete by the end of October.
Transport chiefs have confirmed that traffic restrictions will start being removed from the Central Motorway’s northbound upper carriageway and southbound lower carriageway in the coming weeks, returning those stretches to full capacity and easing the burden on Tyneside's central road network. The works have coincided with the ongoing restoration of the Tyne Bridge and the closure and subsequent demolition of the Gateshead Flyover, both of which were already causing congestion.
Why Repairs Were Needed
While the condition of the Central Motorway viaduct was deemed not to be as serious as the structural concerns which forced the flyover’s closure, council bosses said that repairs needed to be made now to prevent it deteriorating further. The maintenance on the A167(M), the first major repair project on the route since 2004, is being paid for from the same £41.4 million Government pot being used for the Tyne Bridge refurbishment.
City council leader Colin Ferguson said: "Reaching one year on site is an important milestone for this project, and I’m delighted that work is progressing so well. Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, the scheme is now ahead of schedule, which means we’re on course to deliver these improvements sooner than originally planned."
"This is one of the most important transport routes into and through Newcastle, carrying thousands of journeys every day. Investing in its future is essential if we are to keep our city moving, support local businesses and ensure our infrastructure is fit for the decades ahead."
Progress and Next Steps
Prior to the works starting in summer 2025, the Central Motorway was used by up to 80,000 vehicles a day. Contractors VolkerLaser have so far replaced 72 of the 115 bridge joints on the viaduct and carried out concrete repairs.
Their remaining programme will see the last bridge joint replacements made and the final concrete repairs to the soffit of Sandyford Road Bridge, which carries the southbound carriageway of the A167(M) over Sandyford Road. A contraflow traffic system will remain on that section of the route until the final works are finished.
Ben Leng, VolkerLaser’s senior project manager, said: "As we mark one year on the project, it's encouraging to reflect on how much has been achieved. Despite the challenges presented by the location and the complexities that come with working in a live environment, the team has continued to make good progress while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and collaboration. Alongside delivering critical project milestones, we're particularly proud of the positive impact we've made in the local community through our social value activities, creating opportunities, supporting local organisations and leaving a lasting legacy beyond the construction works themselves."
