OVERNIGHT closures are set to begin this month as a major £18m project to reconstruct the “cracked” concrete foundations of the A120 continues.

National Highways is set to carry out repairs to the carriageway between Horsley Cross and Wix in both directions.

The work, which is expected to start in Spring 2024 and will be completed in 2025, will include the replacement of the concrete surface on the main carriageway, clearing drains, repainting road markings, and inserting new reflective road studs.

Ahead of the works starting National Highways needs to carry out a number of surveys.

These involve checking the scheme boundaries and condition of the road.

In order to carry these out the A120 is set to be closed overnight later this month. 

There will be a closure of the A120 in both directions between Colchester Road and Harwich Road overnight from Wednesday, October 18 to Friday, October 20. 

Over the three nights the road will be closed from 10.30pm to 4.30am. 

During these road closures, National Highways will need to divert traffic along the following routes: 

Eastbound traffic will be diverted off the A120 at Horsley Cross Roundabout onto the B1035, then B1352 and Wix Road to re-join the A120 at Ramsey. 

Westbound traffic will be diverted off the A120 at Ramsey onto the B1352, B1414, B1033 and the A133 to re-join the A120.

The East region has the highest concentration of concrete roads, which were designed between the 1950s and 1970s have an average life span of 50 years.

The agency said it is using innovative techniques to provide a modern road that will last for decades to come.

Ground investigations and bat surveys have already taken place. 

Anto Babu, project manager for the agency, said: “National Highways is progressing plans for a concrete reconstruction scheme on the A120 between Horsley Cross and Wix, which is due to start in spring 2024.

"Reconstruction will involve completely removing the concrete road surface and some of the foundations, before rebuilding the road and resurfacing it with asphalt."

A National Highways spokesman said: “If you have any questions about this work, you can contact us by calling our 24/7 Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000, or by emailing info@nationalhighways.co.uk. 

“Alternatively, please visit our website to learn more about this project: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/A120HorsleyCross."