Killingworth Road should finally reopen to traffic in less than two weeks, transport bosses have revealed.
The 10 things that have happened since Killingworth Road closed almost two years ago amid a heavily-delayed roadworks project, but drivers should finally be able to begin using it once again from May 20.
There was concern among Newcastle City Council engineers recently that a newly-discovered problem involving a manhole could force them to further delay the long-awaited reopening of the road.
But after confirming last week that the issue had been resolved, the authority now says it expects to hit its latest target of opening to southbound traffic only on May 20.
Coun Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality, added: “We would like to thank the public for their patience regarding the over-running works to Killingworth Road and reassure everyone that the road is on target to open this month.
10 things that have happened since Killingworth Road closed almost two years ago
“As there is still construction work ongoing, we have a phased approach planned to get traffic using this key route as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
“Initially only southbound traffic towards the city centre will be allowed, with two-way traffic using the road from this summer.”
Killingworth Road, part of the A189 in South Gosforth, shut in July 2017 for a massive project to install a new Metro bridge and widen the road.
The complex works should have been completed by February 2018, but the scheme has been plagued by a string of setbacks - with the council and Northern Gas Networks blaming the discovery of asbestos, a “labyrinth of utility pipes and old infrastructure” beneath the city, bad weather and land slippage for repeated delays.
Last week, North Tyneside MP Mary Glindon slammed the council’s “total incompetence” and “disregard” for residents left fed up by the closure, demanding an investigation into what has gone wrong.
But if all goes to plan in the next two weeks, the route will reopen to southbound traffic going towards Newcastle city centre, as well as cyclists and pedestrians, on May 20.
It should then be open in both directions from mid-July, though some construction work will continue into next year.
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