The QEII Bridge will finally close later this week after tunnel closures at the Dartford Crossing over the course of the previous weekend. Throughout July and August, waterproofing and resurfacing work at the important crossing between Kent and Essex is planned. This will necessitate a number of tunnel and bridge closures.
Between Friday, July 26 and Sunday, July 28, drivers had to deal with the east tunnel and multiple lanes of the M25 northbound being closed. The west tunnel will be closed as part of the next phase of construction from Monday, July 29 at 10 p.m. to Tuesday, July 30 at 5 a.m.
Traffic heading north will be detoured through the east tunnel during this time. The east tunnel will then be closed overnight on Tuesday, July 30, and Wednesday, July 31, from 10 p.m. to 5.30 a.m.
Vehicles travelling northward that are shorter than 4.8 meters (15′-9″) in height can use the west tunnel as usual; those who are taller than this must take a diversion via the M25 clockwise. Thereafter, on Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2, there will be two nights of west tunnel closures; the complete schedule is provided below.
According to National Highways, the QEII Bridge will be completely closed from 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, to 5 a.m. on Sunday, August 4. During the closure of the east tunnel, a contraflow diversion will be implemented.
In addition, the QEII Bridge regularly has lane closures from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night in order to paint. Ultimately, on Sunday, August 4, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the east tunnel will close.
National Highways has also verified that the east tunnel will close completely between Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11, from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m., and between Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18. “If you plan to travel via the crossing in the northbound direction during this work, please allow additional time for your journey,” is the message sent to drivers.
Upcoming Dartford Crossing closures
- Monday, July 29: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5am
- Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31: Dartford east tunnel (no access for vehicles over 4.8m), 10pm to 5.30am
- Thursday, August 1: Dartford west tunnel, 10pm to 5.30am
- Friday, August 2: Dartford west tunnel, 11pm to 6am
- Saturday, August 3: QEII Bridge closure, 10pm to 5am
- Sunday, August 4: Dartford east tunnel (no access for vehicles over 4.8m), 10pm to 5am
Diversions
- East tunnel: vehicles less than 4.8m (15‘-9”) high will be diverted via the west tunnel. Vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high will be diverted via the M25 clockwise.
- West tunnel: drivers will be diverted via the east tunnel.
- QEII Bridge: southbound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel. Vehicles less than 4.8m (15‘-9”) high travelling northbound will be able to use the west tunnel as usual and for vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5.0m (16’-6”) high, an alternative diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise.
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