At 5am on Monday 2 May, work to widen the A13 will reach a major milestone as the newly-created third lane will open to traffic in both directions between the Stanford-le-Hope and Orsett junctions.
This is a key step towards finalising the work, which is part of the A13 Road Widening Project. On completion there will be an additional lane in both directions between Stanford-le-Hope and Orsett, 4 new bridges and improvements at the Orsett Roundabout to help manage traffic flow.
Road users are asked to take extra care when travelling on the new road and roundabout, to get familiar with the road alignments, speed limits, signage and lane markings.
A temporary 50mph speed limit will be put in place between the two junctions for safety reasons, until electrical contractors can complete street lighting commissioning work.
The Orsett Cock roundabout will be open to 2 lanes, with the current, temporary 30mph speed limit remaining in place until new traffic lights are commissioned in early May.
The A13 will be closed in 2 separate locations this weekend to enable the completion of the current phase of roadworks and the opening of the new third lane in both directions between Stanford-le-Hope and Orsett.
The first closure will start at 10pm on Friday 29 April and will be in place for 12 hours until 10am on Saturday 30 April. The A13 will be closed in both directions between the A1089 (Tilbury) and the A1014 (Stanford-le-Hope) junctions. In addition, the A1089 northbound link road to the A13 eastbound carriageway will also be closed.
The second closure will start at 10am on Saturday 30 April and will be in place until 5am on Monday 2 May. The A13 will be closed in both directions between the A128 (Orsett) and the A1014 (Stanford-le-Hope) junctions.
During both closures, traffic is advised to avoid the A13 and use alternative routes, such as the A127. A separately signed alternative route will be available for vehicles which are not permitted to use motorway diversion routes and local traffic.
To minimise the impact on residential areas, road users are urged not to divert through nearby towns and villages.
For more about this weekend's road closure, other works and to sign-up for the dedicated A13 e-newsletter, go to thurrock.gov.uk/a13