THE £150 million road widening scheme for the A453 is to start construction in January, Roads Minister Stephen Hammond announced today.
With an estimated completion date of the summer 2015, seven miles of the A453 will be widened by the Highways Agency between M1 Junction 24 and the A52 Nottingham Ring Road.
The project is the first of six growth schemes, announced in the Government's 2011 Autumn Statement, to start construction.
Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said:"The start of construction in January shows our commitment to deliver much needed improvements to England's infrastructure - helping to unlock growth potential, while cutting congestion. I know the A453 improvements will be a welcome economic boost for road users and businesses in the East Midlands.
Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, welcomed the start of construction: "I am delighted that we are now within weeks of seeing construction work begin on the A453. Nottinghamshire County Council and the local business community campaigned long and hard for its improvement, with the County Council putting £20m into the scheme.
"The news that work is set to begin in the new year is fantastic news for everyone in Nottinghamshire. The improvements to this vital route, combined with the planned extension to East Midlands Airport will bring huge benefits to the Nottinghamshire economy and the East Midlands as a whole.
The Highways Agency is holding public information exhibitions at Clifton Leisure Centre, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, NG11 8AB, on Friday 11 January from 2pm to 8pm and on Saturday 12 January from 10am to 4pm. The exhibition will then move to Kegworth Whitehouse Hotel, Packington Hill, Kegworth, DE74 2DF, on Sunday January 13 from 10am to 4.30pm.
People will be able to view detailed plans for the scheme, find out more about the roadworks and how they can get journey planning advice during the works. The Highways Agency's project team, contractor Laing O'Rourke and scheme designer White Young Green will be on hand to provide more information and answer questions.
The new year will see work start on dualling the rural section of A453, between the new Mill Hill Roundabout on the edge of Clifton and junction 24 of the M1, as well as provision of an additional two traffic lanes through Clifton itself.
While much of the early stages of work on the rural section will be carried out away from the existing carriageway, work through Clifton has to be on the carriageway with traffic running close to the works. For the majority of the time one lane will be kept available for traffic in each direction as is currently provided.
It is expected that the widened A453 between the M1 and Mill Hill roundabout will be fully open from early summer 2015 following the completion of the section in Clifton a month or two earlier.
Traffic management will be put in place during January, including a new temporary 40mph speed limit from M1 Junction 24 to the edge of Clifton and a temporary 30mph speed limit though Clifton itself.
Some lane or carriageway closures will be required during construction, and these will be publicised closer to the times required.
To keep up to date on the A453 widening scheme, people can register for updates on the scheme's webpage or call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
