Four consecutive weekend carriageway closures on the M1 in the East Midlands will begin on Friday as National Highways begins essential work to protect the Junction 18 Crick Bridge.
The government-owned company said the work is vital to prevent water leaking on to the bridge decks, which if left undone could result in damage to the road surface or the steel reinforcement inside.
It will plane off the existing road surface, remove and replace the waterproofing system and then resurface the carriageway over four weekends from Friday (21 June).
??Are you gearing up for the northbound M1 J18 closure this weekend?
— National Highways: East Midlands (@HighwaysEMIDS) June 18, 2024
??Closures will be in place from 8pm on Fri to 6am on Mon 24 June so we can renew the waterproofing system.
??Long delays are expected so please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. pic.twitter.com/9bOfMeuCiB
It said that to carry out the work in the shortest possible time and ‘minimise disruption’ to road users, local residents and businesses, including the neighbouring Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) the work will be carried out under four weekend closures, in one direction at a time.
The northbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm on Friday until 6am on Monday, 24 June and at the same times the following weekend, Friday, 28 June until Monday 1 July.
Work will then move to the opposite side of the road with the southbound carriageway closed from 8pm on Friday, 19 July until 6am on Monday, 22 July and at the same times the following weekend, Friday, 26 July until Monday 29 July.
National Highways said that during all closures traffic will follow a short diversion up and over the junction using the exit and entry slip roads but that delays are still expected.
All planned roadworks may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, National Highways said.
