Bridge over M1 shuts

The B579 Luton Road, in Chalton, will be closed either side of the M1 from Friday evening to link it to the new road layout, as work continues on building a new junction 11A for the motorway.

When the road reopens on Monday traffic will no longer cross the M1 via the Luton Road bridge, but will instead be redirected to cross via the Sundon Road bridge.

The work will involve planing the old road and installing drainage at the junction with the new road and surfacing the tie-in section of roads.

During the work, which runs from 8pm on Friday to 6am on Monday, traffic travelling north on the B579 Luton Road at Chalton will be diverted through Toddington, via the A5120, through Houghton Regis and onto Sundon Road to cross the M1 at Houghton Road.

Traffic travelling south will use the same diversion in reverse.

Highways England project manager Karen Green said: “This work is an important step in the construction of M1 junction 11A, as it will enable us to prepare for the next phase – the construction of the new junction bridge and demolition of the old bridges.

“The work is likely to be noisy so we have made sure local residents have been informed and know what to expect. As always, we work closely with our contractor and local partners to ensure disruption during this work is kept to a minimum.”

Work on the link road began in March, and construction of the new junction started in June.

The work is part of a new link road between the A5 and the M1 that will help to unlock growth and reduce congestion in the area.

Once completed in spring 2017, the link road, a 2.8 mile dual carriageway, will improve the east-west connection between the A5 and M1.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin attended the official start of works ceremony for the £162.1 million scheme earlier this year.

To watch a video simulation of the scheme visit www.lutontoday.co.uk/news

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