A1 Bridge Defects Uncovered Amid Welding Issues in Birtley to Coal House Upgrade
Welding problems have been confirmed on the A1 bridge, raising concerns over safety and traffic flow in Gateshead
A1, Gateshead, Welding Issues, Allerdene Bridge, Traffic Congestion
Gateshead: So, it turns out the new Allerdene Bridge has some serious defects. This bridge was part of a big upgrade project on the A1, and now welding problems have come to light.
Severfield, the steelwork contractor, found issues on this bridge and 11 others across the country. The Allerdene Bridge, which opened just a few months ago, is a major route over the East Coast Main Line.
Both National Highways and Severfield say there’s no immediate safety risk, but traffic restrictions are still in place. It’s a bit of a mess, really, since they lifted restrictions on other parts of the A1, but not here.
National Highways first heard about the welding issues last August. They’re worried that if these defects aren’t fixed, the bridge’s lifespan could drop from 120 years to much less. They’ve put limits on heavy vehicles using the bridge, and the new lanes are still closed.
They haven’t given a timeline for when repairs will be done, but they promise to get it sorted as soon as it’s safe. They’re working hard to find solutions and keep the roads in good shape.
Severfield has reported that fixing these welding issues could cost over £20 million. They’ve already spent nearly £10 million on testing and repairs for some of the affected bridges.
A spokesperson from Severfield mentioned they’re doing a thorough review with clients and industry authorities to figure out the best way to fix the problems. They assure everyone that safety isn’t compromised on any of the bridges.
Local resident Craig Robson, who lives nearby, is feeling the pinch. He says the two-lane restrictions are causing traffic jams that back up to his home. He’s frustrated because he thought the work would be done by now.
Craig said it’s just like before the upgrades, with traffic bottlenecking down to two lanes. He’s been waiting for updates, but it seems like no one knows when it’ll be finished.
And it’s not just the Allerdene Bridge that’s causing concern. The Gateshead Flyover has been closed since December due to structural worries, and other bridges in the area are also in need of repairs.
It’s a tough time for local infrastructure, and folks are hoping for some good news soon.