Weekend closure for A14 bridge joint removal

The A14 will be closed eastbound whilst a bridge expansion joint is removed

Part of the A14 will be closed eastbound over the weekend whilst a bridge expansion joint is removed.

National Highways said it will be closed eastbound between junction 10 at Kettering and junction 13 for Thrapston, from 20:00 BST on Friday until 06:00 on Monday.

Innovative engineering had been introduced in August when the scheme started to allow people to travel on the road during the day whilst the repairs took place.

Drivers are being asked to divert via the A6 and A45, following the signed route.

Bridging plates were installed and raised to allow access for overnight working - and then lowered for traffic to flow normally in the daytime.

Work on the road initially took place on the eastbound carriageway when the project began on 29 August.

A new expansion joint, which National Highways said had not been used in the UK before, would be installed, which will reduce noise and improve maintenance.

Expansion joints are flexible devices designed to accommodate movement within a structure

One of the features of the new joint was a quick release system so it could be replaced overnight, which National Highways said would significantly reduce disruption.

Simon Wagstaff, project manager for National Highways, said: "We appreciate that roadworks can be disruptive, particularly on such a busy route, so we have gone that extra mile to find a solution which will minimise the impact on road users.

"During the work we will be reminding road users to follow the well-signed diversion route and not their sat navs," he said.

The next phase of work on the westbound carriageway is expected to take place in December, once the first phase was completed.