Work on a £65m project to reconstruct and resurface a concrete stretch of the A12 in Essex is set to get underway at the end of the month.
From 27 February, National Highways will start revitalising the A12 Margaretting Bypass between the Trueloves Interchange (Junction 13) and the Webbs Farms Interchange (Junction 15).
This project is part of a £400m nationwide drive to replace or repair ageing concrete roads across the country, mainly in the east.
The A12 scheme will see National Highways remove the concrete road surface down to the foundations, before rebuilding the road with recycled material and a new asphalt surface.
The project will also see replacement kerbs installed, the drainage system refurbished, safety barriers replaced, new road markings and new reflective road studs.
Programme delivery manager Karl Brooks said: 'The A12 is one of the region's most important roads and carries 80,000 vehicles each day helping to connect London with Suffolk. It’s a vital route and, as anyone regularly travelling on the road will know, it needs to be upgraded. Our work will futureproof this important route for years to come.
'We are sorry for the inconvenience this work will cause and are doing all we can to minimise disruption – this includes working overnight and at weekends. Later this year we are installing a contraflow system, which will also help to keep traffic moving in both directions limiting the need for closures or diversions.'
Preparation work has begun with the installation of speed cameras, CCTV, and temporary barriers. This will continue over the next few weeks ahead of a change to the road layout that comes into effect from 27 February.
The scheme is expected to be complete by summer 2024.