The Department for Transport (DfT) has earmarked a further £43m from the scaled-back National Roads Fund for A38 upgrades in Worcestershire.
Planned works include installing new lanes at key junctions and widening the existing road, helping to improve traffic flow and reduce the threat of any unnecessary bottlenecks in the region.
The upgrades will take place on a 7.5-mile stretch of the route, between the M5 Junction 4 to the north and the A38/B4094 to the south.
The total cost of the scheme is £49.8m, with the DfT committing just over £43m from the NRF and Worcestershire County Council providing the remainder.
Funding is subject to Worcestershire successfully completing the design of the project; identifying a preferred contractor; and submitting a full business case. If that is approved, works are expected to start in early 2023.
Transport minister Baroness Vere said: 'I know local residents in Worcestershire have been affected by congestion along this key route for too long.
'That’s why we’re investing more than £43m, providing a huge boost to the area’s economy and ensuring people can get around the region quicker and easier – whether that be for work, education or to see family and friends.'
DfT officials said the project will generate more than £93m in economic benefits for local communities in the Midlands, 'with the improvements directly supporting 1,100 new jobs and the development of 5,500 new homes'.
The A38 currently experiences significant congestion during the weekday rush hour, with severe delays at junctions and unreliable journey times.
Local residents will also benefit from improved walking and cycling facilities from the scheme.
A new cycle and pedestrian corridor running parallel to the A38 will be built, while new crossings and overbridges will connect to the wider local cycle network.
Real-time passenger information will be installed at bus stops along the route which will provide passengers with live updates to help them plan their journey.
Worcestershire County Council’s leader, Cllr Simon Geraghty, said: 'We are delighted that the A38 project has taken a huge next step forward in the journey towards securing £43m funding from the Department for Transport.
'This significant investment will help improve everyday journeys around Bromsgrove, easing traffic for local people, as well as boosting the local economy.'
The National Roads Fund combines the cash pots for the Major Road Network and Large Local Major schemes. It has suffered severe cutbacks to local funding since first being announced.
Last year its local funding provision was cut from an expected £3.5bn to £2.6bn over five years.
