A18 ROAD SET TO RE-OPEN AFTER COMPLETION OF MAJOR SAFETY-ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

 

Completed at last - NELC councillors and highways engineers in Barnoldby-le-Beck earlier today

THE new, improved A18 road is set to reopen tomorrow (Saturday).

Various measures - including a new roundabout, carriageway widening, installation of barriers and lower speed limits - have been introduced with the aim of making the highway safer.

A final inspection took place earlier today.

The extensive works followed an independent safety review, held in 2016, which made a series recommendations in the wake of a tragedy in 2013 when five members of the same family died on this road.

There were four phases to the works:

* Phase one began in January last year and focused on the road between the A18/A46 junction and Laceby Manor Golf Club. The carriageway was widened, while right-turn lanes were introduced at both Oaklands Hotel and Laceby Manor Golf Club. In addition, vehicle safety barriers were installed together with carriageway resurfacing and lining.

* Phase two saw carriageway resurfacing work to a section of the A18 known as Waterdell between the Waltham Road and Ashby Hill junction.

* Phase three involved the installation of a right-turn lane to Utterby from Barton Street, within Lincolnshire County Council’s boundary at the Barton Street and Lincoln Gate junction.

* Phase four began in September this year with the construction of a roundabout on the A18 Waltham Road junction, which has replaced the previous T junction. These works are now complete.

Additional safety measures have also been introduced as follows:

* A speed limit reduction to 40mph on both carriageways of the A18 Barton Street as motorists approach the new roundabout

* There is also a reduction in the speed limit - from 50mph to 40mph - in Barnoldby le Beck village.

* The speed limit will extend along the A18 south of the new roundabout, to include a series of bends at Waterdell .

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, North East Lincolnshire's portfolio holder for environment and transport: "It is a pleasure to see the completed works, from the new roundabout to the series of vital safety measures that have been introduced. 

"The safety of  residents, motorists and other road users is paramount.

"I appreciate the inconvenience the works have caused to local residents and road users, and  I thank everyone for their patience."

The project was overseen and managed by NELC and its partner, Equans, with engineers from contractor CR Reynolds carrying out the project.