A KEY stretch of the A31 is to undergo extensive works and face closures in both directions for more than one month.
National Highways says it must close the A31 in both directions between the Lake Gates and Merley roundabouts on Saturday and Sunday nights (9pm to 6am) from Saturday, February 18, for approximately six weeks.
This is so crews can replace sections of the metal safety barrier along the verge of the A31 between the Lake Gates and Canford Bottom roundabouts near Wimborne.
Some of the lighting columns at Bere Regis will also be replaced.
Work was originally due to begin in January and last until March, with a break in February. National Highways has instead elected to complete the works in one go.
The agency said the work is needed as the existing safety barrier is old and “severely corroded”.
From Lake Gates to Merley, drivers will be diverted via B3074 Blandford Road and A349 to join at Merley. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be diverted via A350 from the Roundhouse roundabout.
The highways authority will also be doing similar work between Merley and Canford Bottom on weeknights (9pm to 6am) from Monday, February 20, for approximately three weeks.
For these works, a National Highways spokesperson said: “We’ll be able to carry out work on this stretch under temporary traffic lights without the need for a diversion, however if we do need to close the road, it will be overnight.
“Please be aware that narrow lanes and a 30mph speed limit will be in place in sections where the barrier has been temporarily removed to keep drivers safe.”
Lighting columns, meanwhile, at the A31 Bere Regis junction will be replaced to improve visibility for motorists in work that will eventually result in road closures.
National Highways said: “At first, you’ll see us clearing some overgrown vegetation and carrying out some surveys using four-way temporary lights. These lights will be in place from Monday, February 20, until Monday, March 20.
“There will be road closures in the future when we start our main construction work.”
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