St George’s Way in Newport is set to re-open in both directions tomorrow (Saturday) with the diversion through town also set to be lifted.
While the reopening marks a major milestone in the road improvement project, the capacity benefits will not be realised until the road have been resurfaced and the additional lanes marked out for use.
A temporary road surface will be in place until resurfacing starts on 18th August. This resurfacing will be done under nighttime closures (19:30 to 06:00) to minimise disruption when the road will be closed and a local diversion put in place. The resurfacing works are due to be completed on 27th August.
As part of this resurfacing, new road linings will be applied to create an additional lane at the Matalan roundabout to separate traffic wanting to travel right to Church Litten from that wishing to go straight across the roundabout towards Blackwater. There will also be additional lane space for traffic entering Coppins Bridge.
Colin Rowland, director of neighbourhoods for the Isle of Wight Council said:
“I am pleased that this project is now coming to an end and would like to thank local residents and businesses for their co-operation and understanding during work.
“I am looking forward to seeing the benefits the scheme brings in terms of improving traffic flows at what is one of the Island’s busiest sections of highway.
“Motorists do need to bear in mind that even though the road will be re-opened shortly, the full benefits will not be seen until later this month when the resurfacing takes place and the additional lanes are marked out for use.”
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Istead of putting anti walk blocks along the base of the wall, why didn’t they make the carriageway a few inches wider? Would have probably been less costly than all those special blocks.
The Matalan Roundabout has already got a lane for those wishing to turn right when coming from Coppins Bridge !!!
So, what exactly have we gained for all this disruption…aside from somewhere for cable ducts to be installed in the carriagway? I think we are ALL looking forward to seeing how this improves things because I personally don’t believe a word of it.
I cannot believe it’s taken so long and caused so much disruption, pollution through backed up traffic for such a small amount of work. AND it’s still not finished.
Wasn’t open both ways today, Saturday 14th August when I went through @ 09:00 am.
They need to put some additional signage up to warn unsuspecting drivers that the road from the roundabout past M&S is back to 2-way now. Getting petrol this morning I saw 4 vehicles on the wrong side of the roads to turn right into Church Litten….4 vehicles in half an hour.