A11 concrete surface repairs and maintenance

We'll be carrying out the reconstruction to sections of the carriageway, as well as repairs and maintenance on other stretches of the road surface on the A11 carriageway between Spooner Row and the Thickthorn Junction in both directions, during 2021 and 2022. The work will be undertaken in two phases, with Phase 1 (A11 Tuttles Interchange to Thickthorn) starting in September 2021, and Phase 2 (A11 Spooner Row to Tuttles Interchange) starting in early 2022.

Start date September 2021

End date Winter 2022

Cost TBC

The East region has the highest concentration of concrete roads on our road network, including the A14, A12, A120 and M11.

Around half of the old-style concrete roads will either have repairs or will be replaced during next five years.

We’ll be using innovative techniques and new technology to provide a modern road that will last for decades to come, and which is easier and quicker for us to repair in future.

Why we need this scheme

The surface of concrete roads that were designed between the 1950s and 1970s have an average life span of 50 years. Their surfaces are now reaching the stage where they will need to be repaired or replaced for safety reasons, and to help them be less noisy and better to drive on.

Benefits

Our road replacements will provide safer and better road surfaces, improving safety and driving conditions for motorists on the A11. Replacing the old surfaces with a new, modern road surface will extend the life of the road by up to 40 years and will be easier and quicker for us to repair in future.

Project information

Towards the end of this year and during 2022, we will be repairing and reconstructing the A11 carriageway between Spooner Row and the Thickthorn Interchange to replace the concrete road with a flexible asphalt lower-noise road surface.

As preparation for this work, in May 2021 we carryied out ground investigation, carriageway, pavement and drainage surveys for two weeks on the A11 between Spooner Row and Thickthorn Interchange. To minimise the impact on local communities and motorists, the survey work was done overnight between 8pm and 6am. We will only divert traffic from the A11 onto local roads where absolutely necessary.

Road closures

To do the surveys, we’ll need to put the following closures in place:

Full closure of the A11 northbound between Spooner Row to Thickthorn Interchange and a lane closure on the A11 southbound between Thickthorn Interchange to Spooner Row from Monday 10 May to Tuesday 18 May between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only.
Full closure of the A11 southbound entry slip at Spooner Row and a lane closure on the A11 southbound between Thickthorn Interchange and Spooner Row on Friday 14 May between 8pm and 6am.
Full closure of the A11 southbound between Thickthorn Interchange and Spooner Row from Wednesday 19 May to Friday 27 May between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only.
Full closure of the A11 northbound exit slip road at B1135 Wymondham on Wednesday 19 May between 8pm and 6am.

Take a look at the diversion maps below.

A11 northbound exit diversion

To continue along the A11 northbound, exit at Spooner Row and take the diversion via B1172 through Wymondham, B1135, B1172 through Hethersett and re-join the A11 at Thickthorn Interchange. We expect this diversion to add approximately 10 to 15 minutes to the usual journey.

A11 southbound entry diversion

To join the A11 southbound from Spooner Row take the diversion via B1172, Station Road, Ayton Road, Bromwick Road and join the A11 southbound at the Wymondham Bypass junction. We expect this diversion to add approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the usual journey.

A11 southbound large diversion

To continue along the A11 southbound, exit at Thickthorn Interchange and take the diversion via B1172 through Hethersett, B1135, B1172 through Wymondham and re-join the A11 at Spooner Row. We expect this diversion to add approximately 10 to 15 minutes to the usual journey.

A11 northbound large diversion

To exit the A11 northbound, continue along the A11 northbound, exit onto the B1172, follow through Hethersett and then take the B1135 into Wymondham. We expect this diversion to add approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the usual journey.

Monitoring work is taking place over two nights on the A11 carriageway between Spooner Row and Tuttles. One lane will be closed from 9pm to 4am northbound on Monday 19 July and southbound on Tuesday 20 July. Thank you for your patience.

The work will be undertaken in two phases, with Phase 1 (A11 Tuttles Interchange to Thickthorn) starting in September 2021, and Phase 2 (A11 Spooner Row to Tuttles Interchange) starting in early 2022.

Benefits

Phase 1 – A11 Tuttles Junction to Thickthorn Junction Life Extension Works

Our road repairs will help improve the safety of the road surface. It is essential that we complete repairs to the potholes and cracking to ensure a smoother, safer, and quieter ride on the A11. Once complete, we expect the life of the road surface to be extended by up to 10 more years. And the road will also require less maintenance, resulting in fewer roadworks along this section of the A11.

Phase 2 – A11 Spooner Row to Tuttles Junction Concrete Reconstruction Scheme

As with Phase 1, our road repairs will also help improve the safety of the road surface, providing a smoother and quieter journey for road users.  But rather than repairing the potholes and cracking, the whole carriageway will be reconstructed to ensure a smoother and safer ride on the A11.  Once complete, we expect the life of the road surface to be extended by up to 50 more years, with fewer future closures for maintenance repairs, meaning more reliable journeys for road users.

Completion of both phases of the scheme will also help unlock future local growth, support the business community, as well as local authority developments, while also benefitting the wider economy.

Project information

Phase 1 – A11, Tuttles to Thickthorn Junctions Concrete Life Extension Works

We are replacing concrete bays and repairing potholes and cracks in the concrete road surface on the A11 main carriageway/slip roads between the Tuttles Interchange and the Thickthorn Interchange northbound/southbound/in both directions. This project is part of the Highways England concrete roads programme in the East region.

Phase 2 – A11 Spooner Row to Tuttles Junction Concrete Reconstruction Scheme

We will be reconstructing the A11 between Spooner Row and Tuttles interchange.

A reconstruction involves completely removing the road surface and some of the foundations, before then rebuilding the road with alternative material.

As well as reconstructing the carriageway, the work will include installing new drains, replacing safety barriers, repainting road markings, and inserting new reflective road studs (cat’s eyes). We are currently planning on undertaking enabling works autumn 2021, ahead of our start of construction in early 2022.