A MAJOR £30m upgrade of the A69 at Hexham is approaching a key milestone - with the construction of new bridge walls set to be completed by the end of February. 

Engineers are currently building the structures as part of a major redesign of the Bridge End Roundabout, which will see the dual carriageway run underneath the roundabout, with slip roads at either side. 

On Friday, Highways England announced that construction of the east and west bridge walls would be finished by the end of the month, while the bridge decks, which vehicles will drive over, would be jacked into their final position on the supporting walls in March and April, marking a milestone in the scheme.

Highways England project manager Russell Mclean said: "I'm delighted with the progress that's been made and looking forward to the significant next stage of the project when we put the bridge decks in place.

"I'm particularly proud of the team for the work they've carried out during the Covid-19 crisis and difficult weather conditions.

"We've achieved 140,000 safe working hours and provided continuous employment since the start of the pandemic, with no staff furloughed, and strict measures in place to protect their health.

"Around 80 per cent of workforce are from the North-East, half of which are from north of Tyne, and we’ve also supported the region by using local suppliers and firms."

Highways England said the scheme will improve safety, reduce congestion, support economic growth and enhance access from the A69 into the town.

The A69 is a key trans-Pennine route connecting Newcastle and Carlisle, and used by thousands of drivers every day.

Since work got underway last year, 200,000 tonnes of earth has been removed to create the excavation 11 metres below the old roundabout where the new A69 will run. Stone work for the new road is 75 per cent complete, with 20,000 tonnes of locally-sourced quarried stone.

On Thursday, Coun. Cath Homer, who represents Hexham East on Northumberland County Council, said the new road system was set to open to traffic in July of this year, with work finalised and traffic management removed by the autumn. 

Highways England has been asked to confirm the July and autumn dates.