Access road to ease bypass construction traffic

A major access road is being created to reduce construction traffic as part of work on the North Hykeham Relief Road project.

Work to build the 5-mile (8km) haul road from the A46 to the A15 in Lincoln started in May and is due to be finished in August as part of the bypass works.

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) estimates it will remove more than 150,000 construction vehicles over the duration of the project, and reduce congestion and disruption.

Councillor David East, executive member for highways, said: "Building this haul road is a crucial part of how we're delivering the North Hykeham Relief Road in a responsible and efficient way."

LCC said the haul road would provide a direct route for the delivery of construction materials and machinery.

East said: "By creating a dedicated route for construction traffic, we can dramatically reduce the number of heavy vehicles using local roads, which helps minimise disruption for residents and improves safety for everyone.

"It also allows materials and equipment to be moved around the site much more efficiently, helping to keep the project on track and ensuring we deliver this important new road for the county as smoothly as possible."

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new £218m bypass was held on 17 March.

The relief road, which will complete a loop around Lincoln by connecting the A15 and A46, was first proposed in 2005. It is due to be completed in 2029.

New roundabouts are due to be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road.

A number of bridges will also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.

The project aims to ease congestion in and around North Hykeham and support new housing and employment opportunities, LCC said.

It is being partly funded through £110m from the Department for Transport's Large Local Majors programme.

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