A19 Tees Crossing

The current A19 Flyover carries more than 100,000 vehicles per day and is a pinch-point in the region’s network.  

Delays and queuing traffic are common ay peak periods – with knock-on effects on surrounding routes, such as the A66, when accidents or lane closures occur.  

Analysis has shown the crossing is already at capacity – and there is a risk it will hamper growth without intervention and improvement. 

The Combined Authority has made the case to the Government for a new Tees Crossing for several years.  

An outline business case was submitted in 2019 – with additional information provided to support the case. 

In 2023, given the time that had passed since the first submission, the Government asked National Highways to update this business case.  

The Government is now in the process of developing its next “Road Investment Strategy” (RIS) to cover 2025 to 2030 with the Tees Crossing being considered in this process.  

However there is limited funding available and competition to secure finance against other national projects.  

The preferred option was to widen the existing Tees Viaduct structure to provide three southbound lanes over the length of the Viaduct. The plan was to provide this in addition to a new bridge crossing to carry local northbound traffic.  

However, in updating the business case, National Highways has concluded that the current preferred option is too high risk, as widening the existing structure is “not feasible” – and requested additional work on a “lower risk option”.  

Therefore, should a feasible “lower risk” option be pinpointed, this would reduce the scheme’s cost – and provide a stronger case for Government investment in the Crossing.  

A total of £15million to produce a more detailed business case locally alongside National Highways was signed off in January 2024.