Dartford Crossing, M2 and A2 closures to cause disruption for drivers this weekend and next week

As we have now entered the new year, roadworks are once again starting back up across Kent. Several key projects will be taking place throughout the county over the weekend and next week, which drivers will need to be aware of.

From the restarting of tunnel improvements at the Dartford Crossing, to drainage and barrier upgrades on the M2, works will cause considerable disruption for motorists over the coming days. This comes as drivers have already contended with difficult travelling conditions as a result of the ongoing adverse weather, which has seen multiple roads flooded and closed.

With roadworks now resuming, motorists will need to be aware of diversion routes where sections of key motorways and A-roads are closed. Works are primarily taking place overnight to help minimise disruption.

KentLive has rounded up the details of the key roadworks taking place in Kent over the coming week below.

Dartford Crossing

A series of closures will take place at the Dartford Crossing throughout January

Overnight repair works at the Dartford Tunnel have now restarted. National Highways is working to replace some of the older electrical cables during the week, and carry out routine safety checks and maintenance on Saturday nights to keep journeys safe and reliable.

This will then be followed by overnight closures of the east bore tunnel on Sunday nights to allow for routine safety checks and tunnel maintenance. The schedule for Dartford Crossing closures is as follows:

Friday, January 5 – Saturday, January 6

West tunnel closure: 10pm to 5am.

Sunday, January 7

East tunnel closure: 10.30pm to 5.30am.

Monday, January 8 to Saturday, January 13

West tunnel closure: 10pm to 5am.

Sunday, January 14

East tunnel closure: 10.30pm to 5.30am.

Saturday, January 13 to Sunday, January 14

Full QEII Bridge closure: 10pm to 5am.

Diversion details

East tunnel: vehicles less than 4.8m high (15‘-9”) will be diverted via the west tunnel. Vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5m (16’-6”) high will be diverted via the M25 clockwise.

West tunnel: drivers will be diverted via the east tunnel.

QEII bridge diversion: south-bound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel. Vehicles less than 4.8m high (15‘-9”) travelling north-bound will be able to use the west tunnel as usual and, for vehicles between 4.8m (15‘-9”) and 5m (16’-6”) high, an alternative diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise.

A2 Jubilee Way

Works will again take place on the A2 Jubilee Way between the Duke of York’s and Eastern Docks roundabouts.

National Highways has now returned to the A2 Jubilee Way in Dover to complete repair and maintenance works between the Duke of York and Eastern Docks roundabouts. At the same time, resurfacing works between Whitfield and Duke of York roundabouts will take place.

Tuesday, January 2 to Friday, January 26

There will be temporary traffic lights on the A2 between the Duke of York and Whitfield roundabouts overnight, 8pm to 6am Monday to Saturday (inclusive), while teams working on the safety barriers.

A2 Patrixbourne repairs

Meanwhile, works on another section of the A2 will also be continuing in the New Year. National Highways will resume vital maintenance and repairs on the bridge that carries the A2 over Patrixbourne Road.

This involves the replacement of more than 20 bearings, which attach the road deck to the supports below. National Highways says: “This work is critical to maintaining and improving safety.”

A mixture of closures and narrow lanes will be implemented until spring 2024. While works are being carried out on the bridge, Patrixbourne Road will be closed by National Highways and narrow lanes will be implemented on the A2 for safety.

Motorists will need to use the following diversion route while Patrixbourne Road is closed:

These traffic management measures will remain in place until works are completed in spring 2024. The road will also need to be closed in order to remove the narrow lanes, which is currently planned to take place in March 2024.

Further details on all of this will be published closer to the time. National Highways adds: “Please note these works are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather.”

M2 Junction 5 to 7 drainage repairs

Drainage and barrier improvements will take place between Junction 5 for Sittingbourne and Junction 7 for Brenley Corner.

National Highways has also returned to the M2 to complete improvements to the drainage and safety barriers between Junction 5 for Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Maidstone, and junction 7 for Brenley Corner. Part of these works will involve the removal of the existing old barriers, which will mean narrow lanes will be put in place to keep everyone on the M2 safe.

Works will begin in the central reservation, before moving out to the hard shoulder in the spring around mid-April. For these hard shoulder works to be completed, National Highways will need to close each carriageway for up to seven nights, further details of which will be announced closer to the time.

Sunday, January 7: The M2 coast-bound, between Junctions 5 and 6, will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am. Traffic will be diverted via the A249, M20, A20, A252, and A251.

Wednesday, January 3: From 6am, there will be narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit on the coast-bound carriageway between Junctions 5 and 6 – two lanes will be open for traffic. There will also be some work on the hard shoulder on January 2 and 3.

Friday, January 5, Monday, January 8, and Tuesday, January 9: The M2 coast-bound will be closed between Junctions 4 and 6 each night between 8pm and 6am for resurfacing works. Traffic will be diverted via the A229, M20, A20, A252, and A251.

Wednesday, January 10 to Friday, January 19 (excluding Saturday, January 13): The M2 London-bound between Junctions 7 and 5 will be closed overnight from 8pm to 6am. Traffic will be diverted via the A2, A20, M20 and A249.

Thursday, January 11: From 6am, there will be narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit on the London-bound carriageway between Junctions 7 and 5 – two lanes will be open for traffic. There will also be some work on the hard shoulder on January 10 and 11.

Thursday, January 11 and Friday, January 12: The dedicated link between the M2 coast-bound and A299 Thanet Way will be closed between 8pm and 6am each night. To join the A299, please use the roundabout.

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