Highways bosses have issued another reminder that the A2 near Bluewater will be closed this weekend while workers install beams for a new bridge as part of a huge infrastructure project.

A new flyover is set to be constructed east of the existing Bean Lane bridge, as part of major junction improvements between Dartford and Gravesend.

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

The A2 will be closed so that a crane, which will span the carriageway, can lift the new beams into place.

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.

When considering the best time to undergo the works, Highways England previously said it had been working with its subcontractors to deliver this part of the project as soon as possible and had factored in bank holiday traffic into its decision-making.

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

In a reminder today to those travelling this weekend, Edgar Vila Pouca, Highways England’s senior project manager, said: “We know this is a very busy junction and we would only close the carriageway at Bean if absolutely necessary.

“There are likely to be significant delays at times and would urge anyone travelling along the A2 this weekend or in the local area to look at alternative routes if possible and to allow extra time for journeys.”

The authority has stressed that businesses in the area will remain open during the weekend.

The A2 coast-bound carriageway will be closed between the exit and entry slip roads at the Bean junction and lanes 2 and 3 of the A2 will be closed from the M25 on the approach to Bean.

The A2 London-bound carriageway will be closed from Ebbsfleet to the M25.

The bridge beams will be transported to Kent from Darlington tomorrow (Thursday).

To manage traffic and access around the bridge, a number of local and regional diversion routes will be set up.

They include:

• A2 London-bound traffic from the M2 – Exit the M2 at junction 3 onto A229 or junction 5 onto A249, then use M20 to join he M25 at junction 3, then exit the M25 at junction2 to rejoin the A2.
• A2 coast-bound from Surrey / Hampshire – Exit the M25 at junction 5, then use the M26 M20 and either the A229 or A249 to join the M2.
• A2 coast-bound traffic from Kent / Essex – Exit the M25 at junction 3 then use the M20 and either the A249 or A229 to join the M2.
• Access to Bean bridge as a pedestrian – Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained across the bridge. Cyclists will need to dismount and there may be a short delay for people to cross until access to the area is made safe.

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.

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

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.

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

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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