Drivers have been warned to expect road works and lower speed limits along a major road this Easter as part of new safety proposals.
The A1(M) between Junctions 43 and 44 will be subject to a 50mph speed limit from today, after work begins to add a fifth lane to this busy stretch near Leeds.
The mile-long section of the road will be widened to ease congestion and improve safety, National Highways confirmed.
As part of the upgrade, the agency will install new lights, drainage, CCTV, updated emergency phones, fresh signage, and a central barrier. Engineers will also lay ultra-low noise surfacing across all five lanes.
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Simon Taylor, Project Manager at National Highways, said: "We see many vehicles weaving between the junctions, and this extra lane will help reduce congestion around these busy junctions.
"By using the space, we can avoid impacting the verge and wooded cutting, which acts as a buffer for residents in Aberford."
The new lane will use existing carriageway space, filling the section that currently narrows to four lanes, the agency detailed.
Meanwhile, part of the hard shoulder will be converted into the fifth lane, but a hard shoulder will remain once the work is completed.
The road is expected to experience disruptions and overnight closures until August
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Traffic management during construction will be similar to the recent central barrier project.
Lane 1 and the hard shoulder on both the M1 and A1(M) northbound will be closed over a 3km stretch, with the 50mph limit in place for the safety of workers and drivers.
The work is expected to finish in August, with National Highways stating that the upgrade will make journeys smoother, safer, and quieter for drivers.
But as part of the revamp, National Highways has warned of a series of planned closures which will take place overnight between 8pm and 6am on April 8, 9, and 10.
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The road will operate at a lower national speed limit until the project is completed in August
| PAThe A1(M) southbound between the same junctions will also close on April 11 and 12. In addition, parts of the M1 northbound between junctions 46 and 48 will close overnight on the same dates.
As part of the changes, the extra lane has been designed to reduce congestion in an area where traffic frequently weaves between junctions.
The preparatory work has already begun, and the main construction is scheduled to begin today, with the scheme expected to take around five months to complete.
During construction, diversions will be in place with drivers advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, although the hard shoulder will remain open once the work is completed.
The work will mainly take place between 8pm and 6am | GETTYBut some local residents and road users have questioned the closures, with one resident asking why the work could not have been carried out when the barrier project was completed.
Meanwhile, someone else raised concerns about the closure of southbound lanes for northbound work, and the need for M1 lane closures when the work is limited to a stretch of the A1(M).
National Highway shared: "An environmental weight limit through Aberford will also apply during these closures.
"Further closures will be needed later in the project for gantry work, resurfacing and removal of traffic management. Dates will be shared once confirmed."