Northbound traffic on the A1 is set to be moved onto the opposite carriageway tomorrow (Saturday, May 4).

A contraflow is being installed on the A1 between junctions 65 (Birtley) and 66 (Eighton Lodge) and will be in place from Saturday.

Northbound traffic will be moved onto the southbound carriageway.

National Highways, the authority in charge of the works, has said that the number of lanes will remain the same, with no reduction in capacity. 

The contraflow is expected to be in place until late summer. 

A spokesperson for National Highways: "We’ve been working on the three bridges at junction 66 and have now constructed the new lanes on the southbound carriageway, ready for the contraflow.

"Traffic will be moved over from junction 65 until after junction 66, where it will return to the northbound carriageway before travelling over Allerdene Bridge. 

We’re constructing new lanes and widening the three bridges at Eighton Lodge, as well as carrying out repairs to these structures.

"The contraflow will keep drivers and the workforce safe and allow us to work on all three bridges at the same time."

Drivers heading north and wanting to exit for Junction 66 Eighton Lodge, for Low Fell, Birtley (A167) north and south and Wrekenton B1295, should use the dedicated lane from Junction 65, which will be clearly signed. 

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The National Highways project began road works to optimise traffic flow and enhance connectivity on the A1 between Birtley and Coal House.

Before the project, worries were mounting about the strain that would be put on the already busy road by nearby housing developments.

Both sides of the bridge are set to be widened to help traffic flow, in addition to the new Allerdene bridge which was opened in September of last year.