ANOTHER major milestone is due to be completed on the A69 Bridge End improvement works when part of the project opens to traffic.

By 6am on Monday, September 13, vehicles will be able to use the new roundabout on the scheme, which, National Highways say, will reduce congestion and improve journey times and safety for users.

“This is an exciting landmark in the progress of this scheme and we are looking forward to being partially open to traffic from early on Monday morning”, said National Highways programme delivery manager, Hayden Green.

“We ask road users drive appropriately around the new roundabout and to take their time getting to know the new layout, paying attention to signs and lane markings.”

He added: “We’d like to thank people for their continued patience as the scheme has progressed and ask them to bear with us as we move closer to completion.”

To enable traffic to be switched on to the new circulatory, the eastbound carriageway of the A69 will be fully closed and there will be lane closures on the westbound carriageway from 8pm on Sunday, September 12. Diversions will be clearly signed.

Once the roundabout is open, work will continue to prepare the mainline A69 to be opened up at the end of the month – weather permitting.

The project involves building a new stretch of the A69 built under the original roundabout and the construction of two new bridges across the A69 to form the junction.

The upgrade scheme, which has cost £30m, will see a redesign, with the dual carriageway running underneath the roundabout and slip roads at either side.

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

After the opening to traffic, landscaping and planting (including some wildflowers native to the area) will be carried out, with all traffic management removed by the autumn.