THE £106 MILLION new Tollbar Island has finally officially fully opened – ending years of disruption for drivers.
Traffic hold-ups, cones and delays have characterised the works to radically redesign the A45/A46 island near to Coventry Airport.
It partially opened last autumn while work continued, bringing much relief to motorists.
The work has already improved journey times, with the creation of a split-layer junction and underpass.
More hold-ups are anticipated further along the A46 with a forthcoming similar redesign of the ‘TGI roundabout’ at Binley.
Motorists travelling along the A45 Stonebridge Highway and A46 Coventry Eastern Bypass now have a free-flow link under Tollbar roundabout
An improved and larger Tollbar roundabout aims to give improved access to the existing routes.
The work has also seen a widening of the existing A45 Stonebridge Highway to a three lane dual carriageway between the new Tollbar roundabout and Stivichall junction to improve capacity and safety.
Highways England Chairman Colin Matthews said: “Tollbar End’s completion is fantastic news for motorists.
“It is a key hub in the Midlands road network and the £106 million scheme is already providing the benefits of smoother journeys between the important north-south routes.
“The opening of the underpass has improved traffic flow and alleviated congestion at what was once an historic bottleneck.”
Highways England project manager Paul Nagra said: “Everyone will benefit from the new road and journey times will be shorter and safer as a result of the new layout. It will also increase traffic flow and a reduction in congestion.
“We are really grateful to everyone for their patience while the work has been ongoing.”
Highways England said it has also created a new footbridge across the River Sowe to accommodate a new footpath and cycleway.