£51.6 million upgrade of the A19 near Sunderland is the latest National Highways improvement to open to traffic in the North East.

The A19 Downhill Lane scheme will provide extra capacity on the junction between the A19 and the A1290 in Sunderland. National Highways says this will support the regional economy and provide access to the planned development of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) to the north of Nissan’s motor manufacturing plant.

It says the upgrade is part of the Government’s drive to “build back better” from the pandemic and level up regions across the country and follows closely on the heels of last year’s opening of the A19 Norton to Wynyard and A19 Testo’s improvements.

National Highways marked the milestone by cutting a ribbon to open a new pedestrian, cyclist and equestrian footbridge over the main carriageway. Key stakeholders, including delivery partners Costain, scheme designers Jacobs, Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council were in attendance.

The A19 Downhill Lane project has seen the construction of a full roundabout at the junction and improvements made to the existing A19. New traffic signals have been installed at the junction, a new road bridge has been installed and a bridge provided for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.  

National Highways has also improved the adjoining rights of way helping to support and encourage non-polluting and healthier travel options.

(Picture – R: Paul Muir, Sunderland City Council, Helen Burrow, National Highways project manager, Trevor Male, South Tyneside Council, Cllr Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader, South Tyneside Council, and Tim Gamon, National Highways Regional Delivery Director)