Major A38 maintenance scheme moves to the next stage
National Highways is moving into Phase 2 of essential maintenance works along the A38 in Staffordshire with traffic management switching to the northbound carriageway next week.
Work on a major maintenance scheme along the A38 in Staffordshire is progressing well with the project now switching to the second phase.
National Highways is carrying out essential work between Fradley and Barton under Needwood which will mean safer and more reliable journeys for the thousands of drivers who use the route every day.
The comprehensive programme includes resurfacing the carriageway, clearing vegetation, renewing the safety barriers, drainage systems, street lighting and road markings as required.
Work got under way in March and is expected to be finished by the autumn. To minimise disruption, it is being carried out in four phases.
During the first phase, work has been taking place on the southbound side of the A38 and focused on replacing the central crash barrier as well as other maintenance such as clearing gullies, road resurfacing, vegetation control and replacing signposts.
There have been full overnight closures of the A38 southbound between Branston Junction and Hilliard's Cross junction, including a northbound lane 2 closure. This has been taking place Monday to Friday, between 8pm and 6am.
Traffic management will now switch to the northbound carriageway for the second phase.
From Tuesday (9 May) until Tuesday 18 July there will be full overnight closures, Monday to Friday, of the A38 northbound between Hilliard's Cross junction and Alrewas (A38/A513), including a southbound lane 2 closure.
The northbound closure will later be extended as far as Branston Junction later for resurfacing and lighting upgrades.
National Highways Project Manager, Saima Khan, said:
“We are trying to get as much done as possible during this scheme to reduce the need to return here in the future and for further road closures.
“Since the project began we have been able to allocate funding for additional work including resurfacing, LED lighting upgrades and replacing reflective road studs. Local authorities are also using the closures to carry out litter picks in safety.
“Drivers are already seeing the benefits of these early works on the southbound carriageway. But we do appreciate that any roadworks can cause some disruption and appreciate people’s patience while we carry out this essential work.”
The remaining phases are:
Phase 3: Monday 17 July to Wednesday 6 September:
There will be a 24/7 closure of Rykneld Street and Burton Road, and a lane 1 closure of the A38 northbound.
During this phase, we’ll carry out work between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. We’ll also work on the A38 northbound overnight between Alrewas and Branston junction from 8pm to 6am, Monday to Friday. Phase 3 will require three full weekend closures of the A38 northbound between Alrewas and Wychnor Bridges as follows:
• From 8pm on Friday 28 July to 6am on Monday 31 July
• From 8pm on Friday 4 August to 6am on Monday 7 August
• From 8pm on Friday 11 August to 6am on Monday 14 August.
Phase 4: Monday 7 August to Saturday 19 August
Overnight closures of Gorshall service road and Branston service road.
For more information visit the A38 Fradley to Barton scheme webpage at:
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/a38-fradley-to-barton
or sign up for a weekly traffic bulletin by emailing noreplyA38WMids@nationalhighways.co.uk
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
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