Dartford Crossing to shut this weekend as thousands of drivers risk long delays and diversions
The Tunnel will shut to allow work on waterproofing
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The Dartford Tunnel is expected to close this weekend with drivers warned to expect delays as crucial work gets underway.
National Highways said the west tunnel will shut from 11pm on Friday, August 9, until 6am on Saturday, August 10, to conduct work on waterproofing, maintaining ventilation, electrical and drainage systems.
The east tunnel will also shut from 8pm on Saturday, August 10, until 10am the next day, during which there will be no access for vehicles over 4.8 metres.
Other work includes replacing tunnel bearings and repairing the concrete tunnel walkways, replacing expansion joints on the viaduct, and replacing the panels that form the tunnel linings.
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Tunnel closures will have height restrictions on vehicles
PAOn Sunday, August 11, the east tunnel will shut again from 10pm until 5am the next day, with no access for vehicles over 4.8 metres.
During the closures, diversion routes will be put in place for drivers. When the east tunnel closes, vehicles less than 4.8 metres high will be diverted via the west tunnel.
When the west tunnel shuts in the late evening on Friday, drivers will be able to use the east tunnel instead, with vehicles between 4.8 metres and five metres high will be diverted via the M25 motorway clockwise.
National Highways detailed: “We’ll do most of our work overnight to keep disruption to a minimum and planned our work so that multiple schemes can run at the same time.”
The Dartford Crossing is currently the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road and links Essex and Kent via the QEII bridge.
The A282 also connects directly at both ends with the M25, one of the busiest motorways in Europe.
A contraflow diversion will be installed through the east tunnel to maintain southbound travel and help limit the delays it can cause drivers.
National Highways added: “We’re re-waterproofing and resurfacing the bridge which carries the M25 anticlockwise carriageway between junction 31 (Lakeside) and junction 30 (A13) throughout July and August 2024.
“If you plan to travel via the crossing in the northbound direction while this work is taking place, please allow additional time for your journey.”
The next closures, which will also require an east tunnel closure, are planned between 8pm on Saturday, August 17, to 10am on Sunday, August 18.
The Dartford Crossing carries over 50 million vehicles a year with an average of 150,000 a day.
To keep disruption to a minimum, National Highways tries to mainly work overnight, typically between 10pm and 6am on weekends.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Work on the bridge happens typically between 10pm and 6am
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways will also work on the QEII Bridge which will see maintenance of the cable stays and associated parts, and renewing over 200 bearings to ensure the bridge remains in good condition.
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