A new carriageway viaduct has opened in Essex, Highways England has announced.

Two lanes of the redeveloped A138 Chelmer Viaduct were unveiled to traffic yesterday, 04 April.

The 900-metre long structure is part of a £32 million investment programme and took 13 months to build.

It involved the construction of a new viaduct, building three lanes of carriageway, a shared footway/cycleway and a new footpath.

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The new structure will be fully open to traffic on 18 April, after which there is some BT cable work, lighting and final joint work still to complete.

Demolition of the old viaduct is due to begin this summer, with completion scheduled for winter.

Alistair Stout, Highways England project manager, said: "The opening of these two-lanes is great news for all users and will prevent further disruption in the area. We know how anticipated this improvement work has been by the local community and anyone who drives the route regularly.

"We still have some surfacing work to complete to join the new road to the roundabouts but traffic can now start travelling along the viaduct."

The A138 will be formally opened on Wednesday, 13 April.

(LM)