National Highways has said that the technology upgrades to the A38 Saltash Tunnel are “going well”.

Last month, the agencystarted installing cables to connect new technology to the tunnel, a project that this week’s statement says will take several months to complete. 

The next phase of work involves installing new electronic signs on the A38 approaches to the tunnel. These signs will provide live information about lane closures, driving conditions and hazards. 

National Highways are also close to finishing excavations for six new gantries to support these dynamic electronic signs boards.

To create gantry foundations, work will be carried out overnight (Monday – Friday) on four sites – two on each side of the river. 

Work has already been completed on on the A38 westbound, close to Bickham Road area and on the A38 eastbound, south of ‘Stax Reclamation’.

“We’ll now work on the next two sites: A38 eastbound, close to Pill Lane and A38 westbound, close to Normandy Way and Admiralty Road area,” said the statement.

National Highways have also confirmed overnight tunnel closures on Saturday 10 May.

“We’re digging trenches across the road to install cables on the western approach to the tunnel,” they added. “This means we’ll also need to resurface parts of the road. We’ll work over two Saturday night shifts between 8pm and 8am.

“Closing the tunnel at night allows our teams to work safely in and around the tunnel. It also helps reduce the impact on the local community and drivers. During closures, well signed diversions will be in place by the standard B32171 and North Road routes.”

(Pic: Lewis Clarke/Creative Commons)