Dartford Crossing bridge closes for 12 hours of bearing repairs

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 12:29 · Archive

The QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing will close from 9pm on 24 October to 9am on 25 October for bearing repairs.

The QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing will close from 9pm on Saturday 24 October to 9am on Sunday 25 October for maintenance work. National Highways will replace essential bearings during this period. The A282 Dartford Crossing forms part of the M25 and carries more than 50 million vehicles annually.

During the bridge closure, Kent-bound traffic will be diverted through the Dartford east tunnel, which will remain open. The Dartford west tunnel will remain open to Essex-bound traffic. However, vehicles between 4.8 metres (15ft 9in) and 5.0 metres (16ft 6in) in height will face restrictions during this time.

Following the main closure, the Dartford east tunnel will close overnight from 10.30pm on Sunday 25 October to 5.30am on Monday 26 October. Vehicles over 4.8 metres will have no Essex-bound access during this secondary closure. The bridge closure follows a previously planned closure which was later postponed by National Highways.

The Dartford Crossing was built to handle 135,000 vehicles a day, but it now regularly carries around 150,000 vehicles, rising to 180,000 on peak days. National Highways says it is carrying out the work to keep the crossing safe and operational.

Regular maintenance at the crossing during closures includes upgrading CCTV and lighting, waterproofing, and servicing ventilation, electrical and drainage systems. Other work involves replacing tunnel bearings and viaduct expansion joints, repairing concrete walkways, and maintaining the bridge's pylons, cable stays and dampers. Crews also repair steelwork and tiles and carry out paintwork. National Highways performs most work overnight to limit disruption and runs several schemes simultaneously.

Dartford Crossing bridge closes for 12 hours of bearing repairs — Image: Colchester Gazette

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How it is being reported

Drivers face disruption ahead of 12-HOUR bridge closure at Dartford CrossingQEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing to close from 9pm October 24 to 9am October 25 for bearing repairs, with Kent traffic diverted and height limits.Colchester Gazette · 23 Oct, 12:10
Drivers face disruption ahead of 12-HOUR bridge closure at Dartford CrossingQEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing to close from 9pm October 24 to 9am October 25 for bearing repairs, with Kent traffic diverted and height limits.Brentwood Guardian · 23 Oct, 12:10
Drivers face disruption ahead of 12-HOUR bridge closure at Dartford CrossingQEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing to close from 9pm October 24 to 9am October 25 for bearing repairs, with Kent traffic diverted and height limits.Echo (Basildon) · 23 Oct, 12:10

In this story: Dartford Crossing · QEII Bridge · National Highways · Kent · Essex · M25

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