Highways Agency

The Project

Nature of the works

• Urgent repair works have started on the Nene Viaduct between Junction 12 (Islip/A6116) and 13 (Thrapston). Central reserve crossing points are also being constructed to allow safer contraflows along the A14.
• At Blackbridge, east of Junction 10 at Burton Latimer near Kettering, the Agency is providing a new bridge crossing the A14. It will provide a new and safer crossing point for pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders travelling between Burton Latimer, Barton Seagrave and Cranford St Andrew.
  The lifting-in of the prefabricated structure will be taking place over the course of the weekend 10/11 December 2005. During the lifting process, the A14 will be closed to through traffic. Please see below for exact closure times and diversion routes.

Under normal circumstances, we always try to limit carrying out more than one set of works in any particular location. However, this has not been possible for these schemes. Although the new footbridge is part of our pre-planned works, the work at Nene Viaduct is classified as 'emergency works' due to a failed bridge joint. In the interests of safety, this work must be carried out as soon as possible.

Impact on the A14 Nene Viaduct

Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times using a contraflow. A 30mph speed limit will be in operation around the works and a 50mph limit will be in operation for approximately two kilometres either side of the works.

The westbound entry slip road from the Junction 13/A45 roundabout will be closed for the duration of the work. Westbound traffic at this point will follow a signed diversion route to the A6 at Higham Ferrers. Traffic will then be directed up the A6 to rejoin the A14 at Junction 10.

Further investigations into the condition of the bridge joint under the eastbound carriageway are in progress.

It is essential that any necessary remedial works are completed as soon as possible so it is very likely that there will be some overlap between the Nene Viaduct works and the installation of the new bridge/ at Blackbridge, Burton Latimer (see below). During the Nene Viaduct works, at least one running lane in each direction will remain open to traffic. Our current forecast for completion of the works is Friday 16 December 2005.

Blackbridge, Burton Latimer

Subject to suitable weather conditions, the bridge will be lifted into position over the course of the weekend Friday 9 December to Monday 12 December. When the bridge is being lifted into place, it will be necessary to close the A14 to through traffic between Junction 10 (the A6 southbound) and Junction 13 (Thrapston).

We plan to close the A14 at the following times:

• Saturday 10 December - from 0600 to 1900
• Sunday 11 December - from 0600 to 1600

The closure times are subject to change and the road could open earlier or later than planned depending on how the work progresses.

You may have seen a leaflet prepared by the Highways Agency, which states that the A14 will be closed for the whole weekend. Since the leaflet was printed it has been possible to reprogramme the work to avoid a full weekend closure.

If bad weather prevents the work from taking place it will be rescheduled for the following weekend, 17 and 18 December. If this is the case, then the same times, closures and diversions will apply.

If the lifting operation goes ahead as planned, the westbound carriageway of the A14 will be closed between Junction 13 (Thrapston) and Junction 10 (A6 southbound) and the eastbound carriageway will be closed between Junction 10 and Junction 11 (the A510 to Finedon).

Westbound traffic on the A14 will be diverted off the trunk road at Junction 13 and follow a signed diversion route to the A6 at Higham Ferrers, rejoining the A14 at Junction 10. Eastbound traffic will follow the same diversion route in the opposite direction. Local eastbound traffic will still be able to use the A14 betwen Junctions 11 and 13.

Over most of the weekend period the anticipated delay for road users is expected to be between 10 and 30 minutes. However, during the higher flows on Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening, longer delays of around 45 minutes are likely.