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03
Mar
Road closures announced as Kex Gill realignment enters final phase
Road closures and temporary traffic lights have come into force as the A59 Kex Gill realignment enters its final phase.
The 4.2-kilometre section of road is expected to open three months today on June 3.
North Yorkshire Council is spending £82.5 million on the scheme because landslips have caused the frequent closure of the current route, which is the main east-west link between Harrogate and Skipton.
In a project update today (March 3), the council said some temporary road closures and traffic lights will be in place in the coming months.
This includes an eight-week closure of North Moor Road at the junction with the A59, which began yesterday (March 2).
Meanwhile, two-way traffic lights will be in place at Blubberhouses Bridge from mid-May and Church Hill will be closed at the junction with the A59 for eight weeks from early May.
The council said that overnight road closures will also be needed towards the end of the scheme for final surfacing.
The project is on track to be complete in June, the authority added.
Latest developments
Work to create a natural stone retaining wall at the west end of the scheme, alongside the installation of the culvert at North Moor Road, has commenced.
This will take water under the new road and into Hall Beck.
Work has continued to backfill the large underpass visible from the old road, which will then be followed by cladding the concrete walls with natural stone.
Drainage works are being carried out for the new carriageway, while waterproofing works continue on the bridge deck at Blubberhouses Bridge.
Tree planting and grass seeding with a wildflower mix have also commenced.
Kex Gill is the biggest construction scheme ever undertaken by the council. The cost rose from £68.8 million last year to £82.5 million. The Department for Transport contributed a fixed sum of £56.1 million, which meant local council taxpayers had to foot the extra £13.7 million required.
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