Flyover update for commuters
Work on the Gateshead Highway flyover is moving into a new phase as people across Tyneside prepare to go back to work and school after the Christmas and New Year break.
We have been working alongside partners at Nexus and major bus companies to keep the transport network moving, and prioritise Metro and bus journeys as they have the greatest capacity.
Now with Monday morning traffic expected to return to normal levels, diversion routes are well established, and the Metro tunnels are certified safe for trains to run.
Engineers worked throughout the Christmas break to ensure a temporary propping measure was installed, to allow Metro trains to run beneath the route of the flyover once again.
The ageing 1960s structure was closed on Friday 13 December after increased monitoring identified concerns about one of the pillars, prompting us to take immediate action to protect people's safety.
The flyover and the road below were closed in both directions to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
As the Metro runs close to the pillar, a decision was taken on safety grounds to stop trains running through the tunnels.
A temporary propping device is now in place, and the pillar will be encased in more concrete as a medium term solution, with work expected to start in January
Council leaders are clear that the flyover structure has reached the end of its useful life and so they are working to gain the necessary funding for demolition.
In the meantime they are progressing increased monitoring and looking at all the options to minimise disruption as far as possible.
We are also considering how and when it can open up the Sunderland Road bus lane again, whilst ensuring the safety of passengers and pedestrians.
We are grateful for the support of North East mayor Kim McGuinness who has pledged to use regional resources to contribute towards the demolition of the viaduct, saying the region cannot afford to wait for government funding.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "We want to thank everyone for their understanding as we have worked rapidly to ensure the safety of everyone travelling through the area.
"Many people gave up their Christmas break to ensure the temporary props were installed, so we could provide assurance to Nexus that the Metro tunnels were safe for trains to run at full speed again.
"Now people are returning to work in bigger numbers, and I want to thank drivers who have heeded our advice and taken diversions or public transport instead.
"The diversions will remain in place and our advice remains the same - which is to avoid travelling at peak times if you can. This will minimise disruption for those who can't.
"We would urge people to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra travel time - and keep supporting Gateshead town centre."
Our longer-term plan remains to demolish the flyover completely and regenerate the area.
Councillor Gannon added: "We will be keeping up the pressure to get funding in place.
"This challenging situation has given the opportunity to speed up the revitalisation of our town and we need to ensure this happens.
"If we keep on repairing the flyover, it is just putting off the inevitable and is likely to be more costly over the longer term than demolition because repairing it will never overcome some of the basic 1960s design flaws."
We will keep on monitoring the flyover and traffic levels, and carry out all necessary remedial work to minimise disruption until the structure is demolished.
The two roundabouts below the flyover remain open, after expert advice from engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, allowing traffic to continue east/west and access between the A184 Felling bypass and the Tyne Bridge, and to the A1 regionwide. A167 traffic is being diverted to the west of the flyover, around Gateshead Civic Centre.
However, to reduce congestion, the advice for those who can is to use an alternative route (for example, the A1 Western Bypass) wherever possible.
Residents can view an interactive map for current roadworks throughout Gateshead including temporary traffic lights, road closures and diversions.
Meanwhile, pedestrians are urged to keep to the footpaths and not break through the fencing. Security patrols are in place to ensure everyone's safety. Further updates can be found on the flyover webpage.
Work on the Gateshead Highway flyover is moving into a new phase as people across Tyneside prepare to go back to work and school after the Christmas and New Year break.
We have been working alongside partners at Nexus and major bus companies to keep the transport network moving, and prioritise Metro and bus journeys as they have the greatest capacity.
Now with Monday morning traffic expected to return to normal levels, diversion routes are well established, and the Metro tunnels are certified safe for trains to run.
Engineers worked throughout the Christmas break to ensure a temporary propping measure was installed, to allow Metro trains to run beneath the route of the flyover once again.
The ageing 1960s structure was closed on Friday 13 December after increased monitoring identified concerns about one of the pillars, prompting us to take immediate action to protect people's safety.
The flyover and the road below were closed in both directions to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
As the Metro runs close to the pillar, a decision was taken on safety grounds to stop trains running through the tunnels.
A temporary propping device is now in place, and the pillar will be encased in more concrete as a medium term solution, with work expected to start in January
Council leaders are clear that the flyover structure has reached the end of its useful life and so they are working to gain the necessary funding for demolition.
In the meantime they are progressing increased monitoring and looking at all the options to minimise disruption as far as possible.
We are also considering how and when it can open up the Sunderland Road bus lane again, whilst ensuring the safety of passengers and pedestrians.
We are grateful for the support of North East mayor Kim McGuinness who has pledged to use regional resources to contribute towards the demolition of the viaduct, saying the region cannot afford to wait for government funding.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "We want to thank everyone for their understanding as we have worked rapidly to ensure the safety of everyone travelling through the area.
"Many people gave up their Christmas break to ensure the temporary props were installed, so we could provide assurance to Nexus that the Metro tunnels were safe for trains to run at full speed again.
"Now people are returning to work in bigger numbers, and I want to thank drivers who have heeded our advice and taken diversions or public transport instead.
"The diversions will remain in place and our advice remains the same - which is to avoid travelling at peak times if you can. This will minimise disruption for those who can't.
"We would urge people to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra travel time - and keep supporting Gateshead town centre."
Our longer-term plan remains to demolish the flyover completely and regenerate the area.
Councillor Gannon added: "We will be keeping up the pressure to get funding in place.
"This challenging situation has given the opportunity to speed up the revitalisation of our town and we need to ensure this happens.
"If we keep on repairing the flyover, it is just putting off the inevitable and is likely to be more costly over the longer term than demolition because repairing it will never overcome some of the basic 1960s design flaws."
We will keep on monitoring the flyover and traffic levels, and carry out all necessary remedial work to minimise disruption until the structure is demolished.
The two roundabouts below the flyover remain open, after expert advice from engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, allowing traffic to continue east/west and access between the A184 Felling bypass and the Tyne Bridge, and to the A1 regionwide. A167 traffic is being diverted to the west of the flyover, around Gateshead Civic Centre.
However, to reduce congestion, the advice for those who can is to use an alternative route (for example, the A1 Western Bypass) wherever possible.
Residents can view an interactive map for current roadworks throughout Gateshead including temporary traffic lights, road closures and diversions.
Meanwhile, pedestrians are urged to keep to the footpaths and not break through the fencing. Security patrols are in place to ensure everyone's safety. Further updates can be found on the flyover webpage.
