Sir Antony Gormley feared plans to widen the road next to the Angel of the North could spoil views of his iconic sculpture.
Last week the Government approved a £250m project to add extra lanes to the A1, in the shadow of the beloved Gateshead landmark.
However, it has now emerged Sir Antony had previously raised concerns about the work.
In 2019, he urged developers to "respect the original vision" for his steel sculpture when widening the road.
That project will cover a four mile stretch of the A1, with the southbound side increased to four lanes.
Vehicles heading north will have three lanes and a lain gain/drop.
The project has been hailed as a "major step forward" by Highways England.
A Planning Inspectorate report published as part of last week's decision revealed there would be a "worsening" of view from the northbound lane once the work is complete.
And while it acknowledges there's still a chance for Highways England to reduce the impact, it concludes new gantries would mean "a moderate adverse effect upon the setting and views of the Angel of the North".
Completed in 1998, the Angel of the North is Britain's biggest sculpture and a symbol of the North East.
However in comments made on his behalf as part of ths A1 scheme, Sir Antony was said to be "anxious" about the possibility of the views being hindered, adding: "It is essential that any new developments do not obscure these views."
Representatives for the former Tuner Prize winner, knighted in 2014 for his service to the arts, declined to comment further when approached by ChronicleLive.
A spokesperson for Highways England insisted it had always "aimed to minimise" the impact the A1 scheme would have on the sculpture.
“Development consent is a major step forward for the A1 Birtley to Coal House development and has been achieved through years of working closely with our partners and interested parties," they added.
“Our approach throughout the development of the scheme is to minimise the effect on the landscape and to mitigate any impact, particularly around the Angel of the North.
“We will continue to engage with Gateshead Council as we review the design and conditions of the order – including the location of gantries – to provide the safest outcome for drivers.”
A spokesperson for the authority added: "We understand the detailed design of the gantries is still under consideration by Highways England to ensure that any potential visual impacts on the Angel are taken onboard.
"We currently await their further plans.”
