Vital repairs to a 50-year-old road bridge will get underway on Monday.
The A193 Wallsend Road Bridge, near the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, is suffering 'concrete fatigue' after five decades in service and requires major improvements.
Motorists are advised that lane restrictions will be in place from Monday 23 January, to allow improvements to the central reservation at the eastern end of the bridge, heading to Percy Main.
The closures, in both directions, will be in force for five days while this phase of work is carried out. A traffic contraflow system will then be introduced, from Monday 30 January, until the main bridge repairs are complete in the autumn.
The contraflow will operate between the High Flatworth / East Howdon Bypass roundabout at the western end of the bridge, and the Norham Road / Waterville Road roundabout in the east.
A 30mph speed limit will be in place for the safety of the public and workforce.
North Tyneside Councillor John Harrison, Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, said: “This work is part of a major programme of investment in North Tyneside's highway network. The bridge has served us well since 1966 but now requires major structural repairs so it can continue to do so.
"As with every highways improvement scheme, there will be some degree of inconvenience to road users. However, we are determined to keep the traffic flowing smoothly and will provide regular updates as the project takes shape."
Road users are encouraged to subscribe to North Tyneside Council's regular e-bulletin to ensure they get up to date information so they can keep their journey times to a minimum.
To subscribe, please email roads@northtyneside.gov.uk and include ‘A1058’ in the subject line.