MOTORISTS will have to suffer a 50 minute diversion overnight this weekend when the A1 near Scotch Corner is closed as part of a major project to upgrade a 12 mile stretch of road to a motorway.

Six giant steel bridge beams will be lifted into place over the A1, which requires the closure of the A1 in both directions between Scotch Corner and Barton (junction 56).

The diversion will take northbound motorists along the A66 to Barnard Castle, along the A688 to St Helen Auckland, then east along the A68 to junction 58 of the A1. Southbound drivers will take the same route in reverse.

The new bridge will allow engineers for Highways England to create a new local road over the A1 between Kneeton Lane and Scotch Corner – improving access to and from villages surrounding the route.

The bridge is being installed as part of a £380m project to upgrade the existing dual carriageway to a three lane motorway between Leeming and Barton. The scheme will complete the missing link of motorway between London and Newcastle, using the M1 and A1(M), as well as improving journey times and increasing safety.

Contractors will use a 1,000 tonne crane to lift each 72 tonne beam into place.

The A1 will be closed from 8pm on Friday, March 18 until 10am Saturday, March 19 in both directions between Scotch Corner and junction 56 (Barton).

The same closure will be in place on Saturday, March 19 from 8pm until 10am Sunday, March 20.