A BUSY flyway used by 40,000 drivers daily may never reopen after its sudden closure over safety fears.
The overpass was closed on Friday December 13 after inspectors flagged serious concerns with one of its concrete supporting pillars.
Gateshead flyover, on the A167 in Tyne and Wear, has remained shut ever since and could be closed “permanently” if the pillar cannot be repaired.
Plans for the structure’s demolition have also been brought forward while the Labour-led council awaits reports from structural engineers.
Martin Gannon, Gateshead Council’s leader, said: “We always knew, and probably have done for many years, that eventually that flyover has to come down”.
Not only is the flyover closed, but also the road beneath it between the Park Lane roundabout (junction with A184 Felling bypass) and the Five Bridges roundabout (junction with B1426 Sunderland Road).
Road diversions are currently in place while these closures are in place, with drivers being made to take local roads around the nearby civic centre.
The short diversion to the western side of the overpass allows drivers to re-join after taking a few extra minutes for their journey.
Despite these closures, the two roundabouts below the flyover will remain open, after expert advice from consultant engineers confirmed it was safe to do so, according to Gateshead Council.
This means that traffic can continue to flow to and from the eastern and western routes that cross under the flyover.
The council runs an interactive map which shows all current roadworks and diversions to help guide you through your journey.
It also advised people to use alternative routes, such as the A1 Western Bypass, wherever possible to try and reduce congestion.
Other ways to help reduce congestion include avoiding travelling at peak times and working from home if you can, the council said.
It added: “We’re closely monitoring traffic build ups and will take action to reduce congestion wherever possible.
“We are continuing with inspections of the structure and taking advice from consultant engineers to consider whether the flyover can be made safe for use, or if demolition is the only option.
“In either case, the costs will be significant and we are working to secure funding as a priority.”
Metro users are also set to suffer as a result of the repair work, with services running slower between the QEII Bridge and Gateshead Stadium.
This was taken as a safety precaution as part of the tunnels are located beneath the flyover, Gateshead Council said.
It comes as council leader Martin said his authority had been knocked back “numerous” times by the Department for Transport in previous attempts to resolve the future of the flyover.
He added: “I cannot remember when the last funding application was rejected, but they have all been rejected.
“These discussions have been going with the previous government and there are discussions with the current government.”
Plans were first unveiled by the Labour-led council in 2008 to replace the flyover with a tree-lined boulevard.
In 2019, there were plans to bid for government funding to remove the flyover but the £18million scheme was not awarded money from the Highway Maintenance Challenge Fund, according to council papers.
HERE'S the diversion route currently in place following the closure of the Gateshead flyover on the A167.
Traffic is currently being diverted to the west of the flyover, around the Civic Centre.
If coming from the south, exit the A167 at the Five Bridges roundabout junction with the B1426.
Then take the first exit onto High West Street before taking a left onto High Street.
Then, take the first right onto Prince Consort Road towards the roundabout which meets the A184.
Take the third exit at the roundabout towards South Shields on the A184.
After following the road, you’ll reach the Park Lane roundabout where you can re-join the A167.
If approaching from the north, the diversion path follows the same route but in reverse.
