The latest phase of dualling the A1 could be completed by 2024, according to bosses on the project.
A total of 13 miles along the route are due to be converted to dual carriageway, between Morpeth and Ellingham, in Northumberland.
But before work can begin, travel chiefs are still waiting on a decision from the government’s planning inspectorate on whether the scheme should be given the green light.
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“We're expecting the inspector's decision in January 2022, following which there will be a cooling off period, allowing for the start of works in the summer,” said Stuart Culley, community engagement manager at Costain, a contractor appointed to the road upgrade.
“We're looking to to get the scheme open for traffic in 2024/25.”
Project chiefs at National Highways, formerly known as Highways England, have previously predicted work will start in earnest between July - September next year.
What does the dualling involve?
The scheme has been split into two sections, with government cash worth £290 million allocated towards making it a reality.
The first stretch, between Morpeth and Felton, will see:
- Eight miles of road upgraded to dual carriageway
- A bypass constructed between Priests Bridge and Burgham Park
- A new subway and bridge over the River Coquet
The second section, between Alnwick and Ellingham, will include:
- A five-mile portion of highway converted to dual carriageway
- A new junction at Charlton Mires
Updating Northumberland County Council’s Castle Morpeth Local Area Council on progress so far, Culley said: “The scheme has has been relatively quiet recently, in terms of the public domain, but it doesn't preclude the extensive work that's going on behind the scenes.
“National Highways put in the development consent order application in July 2020.
“We held the public examination during the early part [of the year] through to the summer and now we're just in the in the situation where we're waiting for the planning inspector to make the decision, so that we know whether the scheme will be brought on board.”
