A19 flyover structure begins to take shape on £124.5 million transformation of Testo's Roundabout

The Highways England has said work is progressing well on building the support walls, which will retain earth and support the beams of the bridge and deck.

It is part of a £124.5 million project to transform the busy junction at Boldon, allowing traffic on the A19 to continue uninterrupted and no longer need to negotiate the junction via the roundabout.

New sliproads will also link up with the A184 Newcastle Road, with an estimated 83,400 vehicles to use it every day by 2033.

The large concrete structures can now be seen by the thousands of drivers who use the roundabout each day, with the team tasked with completing the scheme continue to work under measures put in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.

A spokesperson for the department said: “We are preparing for the project’s next milestone, which is the installation of the beams and the bridge deck. This is planned for September.

“All Highways England sites have strict safeguarding measures, in line with Public Health England guidance, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and none of the sites are open to the public.

“We continue to make good progress with ongoing drainage work on the north side of the A184.”

They added that the project’s progression means it has now had to close the bridleway between the A184 (east of Testo’s) and Downhill Lane junction to the public, with a diversion in place for walkers, horse riders and cyclists using Downhill Lane.

Piling work was completed at the site in May, allowing the contractors to build the supporting walls for the bridge.

Changes are also being made at the junction at Downhill Lane, which is the route in and out of Nissan and to Washington Road, leading into the north of Sunderland.

In addition to cutting congestion at the busy junctions, the upgrades will also be in place ready for the completion of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) which is being created on land to the west of the A19 and north of the Nissan plant.

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