The A2 near Bluewater will be closed this weekend while workers install a bridge as part of a huge infrastructure project.

A new flyover is set to be constructed near Bean as part of major junction improvements between Dartford and Gravesend.

How improvements at the A2 near Bean and Bluewater will take shape

Work was due to take place on the busy route earlier this month but was postponed after the company appointed to build the beams entered administration.

Instead, the rescheduled closure will now take place from 10pm on Friday through to 6am on Monday, August 23.

It will include Bean Lane bridge in both directions and a full closure of the A2 London-bound carriageway from Ebbsfleet to the M25.

The coastbound carriageway will be closed between the exit and entry slip road at Bean.

When considering the best time to undergo the works Highways England says it has been working with its subcontractors to deliver the work as soon as possible and had factored in bank holiday traffic into its decision-making.

It added that it appreciates "the impacts this may cause".

Highways England has stressed that businesses in the area will remain open during the weekend.

The following diversions will be in place:

• A2 coastbound – Exit the A2 at the Bean junction, take Bean Lane north to the A296, travel along the A296 Watling Street to re-join the A2
• A2 Londonbound to M25 – Exit at the Ebbsfleet junction, travel north along the A2260 to Northfleet, A226 to Swanscombe, then the A206 to access the M25 at junction 1a
• Bluewater exiting traffic to A2 and M25 – Exit the centre on the eastside and travel north on the B255, at the first roundabout turn left onto the A226 London Road, then along the B2500 Watling Street to the A296 Princes Street roundabout
• Bean village local traffic from coastbound only – Use the A2 coastbound diversion up and over the Bean junction, then continue along the A2 and exit at Ebbsfleet. Travel down the link to Pepperhill, then use the roundabout to travel over the A2 bridge via Hall Road. Continue along Station Road and Betsham Road to access Bean village

Wider diversions for motorists travelling longer distances have also been released. These include:

• A2 Londonbound from M2 – Exit the M2 at junction 3 onto A229 or junction 5 onto A249, then use M20 to join the M25 at junction 3, then exit the M25 at junction 2 to re-join the A2
• A2 coastbound from Surrey – Exit the M25 at junction 5, then use the M26, M20 and either the A229 or A249 to join the M2
• A2 coastbound from Essex – Exit the M25 at junction 3, then use the M20 and either the A249 or A229 to join the M2

The overhaul of the junction is planned due to increasing numbers of homes being built in the area over the coming years with 15,000 in the pipeline for Ebbsfleet Garden City.

It was granted permission in June 2019 after approval from the Transport Secretary following a public inquiry.

The two junctions are 1.2 miles apart with Bean linking traffic with Bluewater and Ebbsfleet junction joining the A2 with the B259 Southfleet Road.

This includes enlarging the current roundabouts and adding in new signalised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

The scheme is due to be completed in 2022/23. Video: Highways England

At the Ebbsfleet junction, Highways England says the proposals "will broadly follow the existing road layout" but with the roundabouts extended and traffic lights installed.

A dual carriageway will be created to link the roundabouts with the A2 off-slip roads kept and the slip roads on to the A2 widened.

The overall scheme is set to be completed by 2023.

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