A417 ckosures from this weekend flagged as project hits milestone
Summary
The A417 Missing Link scheme will reach a significant milestone this month, National Highways says, with a traffic switch enabling drivers to travel on a new section of the dual carriageway.
Details
A spokesperson for the £500m road upgrade said the changes will ultimately deliver a “safe and resilient” dual carriageway, improving the connection between the two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth and Cowley, and a vital link between the M4 and M5.
They said: “The temporary traffic switch will follow a weekend closure, including the A436 and A46 Brockworth junction to the Air Balloon roundabout, from 8pm on Friday, 26 June to 6am on Monday, 29 June.” Once the weekend work is completed, from June 30 motorists will be able to travel on a two-mile stretch of the new A417, which will form part of the permanent, upgraded route.
The traffic switch will also permanently close the existing A417 between Air Balloon and the existing B4070, which will be later repurposed for non-motorised users. Construction has been phased carefully, the agency said, to minimise the impact on local communities and motorists using the A417.
Related stories
The latest switch, moving traffic from the existing A417 carriageway onto the first significant section of new road from the Ullenwood junction (the intersection of Leckhampton Hill and the A436), will look and feel different for drivers, the agency said, with narrower lanes and a 40mph restriction in place as they follow the new road up and under the green bridge and utilising the new Shab Valley interchange.
Celine Acard, National Highways Senior Project Manager for the scheme, said: “The progress made on the A417 Missing Link has been truly significant and this latest milestone reflects the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in delivering this vital scheme.” She added: “Once completed, the upgrade will bring many benefits that will transform journeys, improve reliability and safety, and bring long-term benefits for local communities, businesses and visitors alike.
By switching traffic onto this new section now, it enables us to keep the road open for the travelling public, while minimising disruption and protecting our workforce.” The agency said it appreciated the work is likely to cause “significant delays” in the area and advised drivers to plan ahead and consider alternative routes where possible, particularly at peak travel times.
The temporary route will be in place for at least five weeks with further summer road closures of the A417 and A436 in July to be communicated once confirmed. Official diversion directions, walking routes and other information will also be communicated and all updates will be available on the A417 Missing Link web page.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester