A38 Saltash Tunnel technology upgrade

Latest updates

• 17 October 2024

  Latest plans, key dates and traffic management

  We’re undertaking a major modernisation upgrade of the A38 Saltash Tunnel in Cornwall. This represents a £25 million investment from National Highways to improve journeys and maintain the safe operation of the tunnel for many years to come. 

  These essential upgrade works will help to: 

  • keep everyone using the tunnel safe
  • provide more reliable journeys
  • reduce the risk of unplanned closures

  We’ve been undertaking preparatory works within the tunnel over the past year. This includes:

  • the identification, tagging and removal of old cabling from within the tunnel ducts
  • cleaning, jetting and re-roping the cable ducts
  • removal of cladding panels to survey for the new tunnel gantries
  • installation of new fibre optics under the Tamar Bridge

  These works will continue over the coming months as planned. The preparatory works should also help to prevent future delays with the scheme as possible, unforeseen issues will have been identified and resolved during these works. Most of these preparatory works can be completed with the tunnel open for traffic. However, we will need carry out some of the works under nighttime tunnel closures. We will provide advance notice of these closures when dates are confirmed.

  As with any complex scheme, dates are subject to change while commercial and programming decisions are finalised. Until these final details have been confirmed we won’t be starting the civils work required on the approaches to the tunnel and the Tamar Bridge. While this means we won’t be starting this phase as soon as we’d hoped, we will still be moving forward with the preparatory works.

  We are now fine-tuning the programme of works for the scheme which includes the associated traffic management plans. The works will continue to be phased, and we will share full details as soon possible.

  Current proposed key dates and traffic management

  Please note, these are subject to change as the programme and approach is refined.

  Early 2025 to late 2025

  The tunnel will be closed in both directions on weeknights with traffic using local diversion routes.

  By closing the tunnel only at night, we can reduce the impact on the local community and drivers.

  During this period, for a time, one lane will be narrowed on the eastern approach to the Tamar Bridge.

  Summer 2025 for 5 months

  ‘The Switch-off’. The tunnel and bridge will no longer operate on a tidal flow basis.

  Fixed lanes will be in operation with clear directions for each lane, until work is complete.

  Further information

  We'll update this page with more details about the works including weeknight tunnel closures, lane closures, and speed restrictions, as the scheme progresses.

  If you have any questions, call us on 0300 123 5000 or email info@nationalhighways.co.uk

• 19 September 2024

  Work to start in late November 2024

  We’re working with local stakeholders including the MP, councils, Derriford Hospital, Network Rail and GWR, as well as our construction partners to refine our delivery plan for these essential renewals.

  The feedback we’ve gathered is helping to shape how we deliver this complex and extensive programme of work, while minimising the impact on the local community and everyone who uses the tunnel. 

  We’ll be completing our work in phases using a mix of lane and full closures, starting at the end of November with weeknight closures of the tunnel. These will continue until the work is finished. 

  There will then be speed restrictions and narrow lanes being installed westbound between St Budeaux and the Tamar Bridge from early 2025 to allow work to be carried out in the verges.

  In early to mid-2025, the current control system will need to be turned off and removed to allow installation of the new system. This means there will only be one lane open in each direction for A38 traffic through the tunnel, which will be fixed as the traffic can no longer be dynamically controlled. 

  The Tamar Bridge will retain its four traffic lanes. There will be one lane fixed in each direction for A38 traffic, a lane dedicated for Saltash Town only in the westbound direction and the eastbound cantilever open for local and ‘tag only’ traffic.

  Please note: all enquiries should be directed to National Highways, and not to Tamar Bridge which is independently owned and operated by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Councils.