Residents and commuters are being encouraged to plan ahead as work resumes on the multi million pound A338/Blackwater Junction improvements on Monday 7 January 2019.
Overnight road closures will be in place southbound for two nights on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 January 2019 from 8pm to 6am to reinstall the steel barriers and reduce the road back to one lane, in a similar layout to the last phase of work.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead, use alternative forms of transport where possible and allow more time for their journeys.
Gary Powell, Head of Highways and Transportation and the senior responsible officer for the A338 improvements, said: “We are pleased to have been able to provide a break in the roadworks over the busy festive period and are delighted to have seen vehicle numbers increase over the last few weeks.
“Ahead of the works restarting, we would like to remind motorists that there will be delays to journeys especially during peak period. We would urge motorists to think about allowing extra time for their journeys, consider public transport, car share or look at alternatives routes where possible. We appreciate not everyone will be able to do this but even if a small percentage of motorists were able to change their travel arrangements it would make a huge difference.
“We appreciate these works and travel management arrangements will inevitably cause disruption and we will continue to do all we can to ensure the works are delivered as efficiently as possible.”
From Monday 7 January, works will include the widening of the southbound carriageway into the verge, the installation of concrete protection jackets around the Blackwater bridge piers, the building of a new parapet vehicle restraint barrier over the River Stour Bridge and a new retaining bank for the new lane immediately south of the River Stour Bridge. The traffic management will be extended towards Cooper Dean as work begins in the area to link the new lane with junction slip road.
The A338/Blackwater improvements are scheduled to last until June 2019. Road users are advised to sign up to the A338 travel blog to stay up to date with road news or check @TravelDorset on Twitter for updates.
For more information visit www.A338.Info