New A19 flyover to welcome traffic for the first time next week

Traffic will soon be moving above the landmark Testo's roundabout

Author: Tom HailePublished 3rd Jun 2021

A new flyover over the A19 Testo's roundabout in South Tyneside, which will create safer and more free-flowing journeys, welcomes traffic for the first time from Monday (7th June).

Highways England is continuing work around the flyover and roundabout over the coming weeks to fully complete the upgrade. However, drivers will be able to drive straight through the A19 without stopping at the roundabout.

Highways England project manager Liam Quirk said:

“There is still a fair bit of work to be done before we can completely open to traffic but we are delighted that people wishing to continue travel on the A19 can now do so without having to use the roundabout. I’d like to thank the public for their ongoing patience and support.

“We’re almost at the end of the road when it comes to being fully complete on the roundabout upgrade, so I’d urge drivers to be patient with us for a little bit longer because we do have some closures and diversions in place for a few more weeks as we reach the finish line.”

A drone shot of the new A19 flyover over the landmark Testo’s roundabout with the A19 to north and south, and the A184 to its east and west

To allow traffic to flow over the flyover as safely and quickly as possible for Monday, all approaches to the roundabout will be closed from 8pm on Friday (4 June) until 6am on Monday (7 June).

Diversion routes will be in place throughout as work is carried out and drivers are advised to check before setting off on their journey.

Full closures include:

• Northbound A19 between A1231 Hylton and Boldon / Fellgate

• Southbound A19 between Boldon / Fellgate and the A1231 Hylton

• A184 eastbound between Abingdon Way, Testo’s roundabout and White Mare Pool

• A184 westbound between White Mare Pool, Testo’s roundabout and Abingdon Way

Closures and diversions will also remain in place for the nearby A19 Downhill Lane major scheme which will provide extra capacity on the junction between the A19 and the A1290 in Sunderland, supporting the regional economy and plans for the development of International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

For more information about the scheme follow @HighwaysNEAST on Twitter and visit here.

A recent eye in the sky image of the new 142-metre and 1,393-tonne flyover which will soon allow traffic over the Testo’s roundabout