WORK on a new 142-metre bridge that will bring free-flowing journeys on a busy A-road is stepping up a gear this month.

The £124.5 million Testo’s roundabout upgrade, north of Sunderland, which will see the A19 raised above the existing roundabout and new slip roads built to connect it to the A184, will be a hive of activity over the next two weekends.

Once the Highways England project is completed next summer, drivers on the A19 will no longer need to negotiate a junction, and can continue uninterrupted.

To get the work finished on time the Northbound A19 from Hylton to Testo’s, the A184 westbound Testo’s to West Pastures, and the north and south sides of Testo’s roundabout will be closed until 6 am Monday, December 7.

All Highways England sites have strict safeguarding measures, in line with Public Health England guidance, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and none of the sites are open to the public.