DRIVERS are being advised to plan ahead and leave extra time during their journeys over the next two weeks due to planned overnight closures of the Dartford Crossing. 

Overnight lane closures will be in place across the QEII bridge for safety while maintenance work is carried out on the CCTV system, and preparatory work for Saturday night's bridge bearing replacement. Survey work in the east and west tunnels will also take place which will require some full overnight closures. This work will take place overnight during the week, between 11pm and 5.30am, on the following dates:  

• Wednesday 15 February: overnight east tunnel closure 
• Thursday 16 February: overnight east tunnel closure 
• Friday 17 February: overnight east tunnel closure 

During closures of the east tunnel, a clearly signed diversion for vehicles less than 4.8m (15'-9") high will be in place via the west tunnel.  

An alternative diversion for vehicles between 4.8m (15'-9") and 5.0m (16'-6") high will be in place via the M25 clockwise.  

• 8pm on Saturday 18 February until 10am on Sunday 19 February: extended overnight closure of the QEII bridge  

This follows on from the work carried out in January, with the replacement of the next bearing at the base of one of the bridge's 84m-high pylons. During this time, a contraflow diversion for southbound traffic will be in place through the east tunnel. Most northbound traffic will be able to use the west tunnel as usual. For vehicles between 4.8m (15'-9") and 5.0m (16'-6") high, an alternative diversion will be in place via the M25 clockwise.  

• 10pm on Sunday 19 February until 5am on Sunday 20 February: overnight east tunnel closure  

Maintenance teams will carry out their weekly tunnel inspections with a diversion for vehicles less than 4.8m (15'-9") high will be in place via the west tunnel. An alternative diversion for vehicles between 4.8m (15'-9") and 5.0m (16'-6") high will be in place via the M25 clockwise.  

Work in the tunnels will continue the following week between the hours of 10pm and 5:30am on Monday and Tuesday. This will start at a slightly later time of 11pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to help reduce disruption for high-sided vehicles.  

• Monday 20 February: west tunnel closure 
• Tuesday 21 February: west tunnel closure 
• Wednesday 22 February: east tunnel closure (11pm start) 
• Thursday 23 February: east tunnel closure (11pm start) 
• Friday 24 February: east tunnel closure (11pm start) 

During closures of the west tunnel, a clearly signed diversion will be in place via the east tunnel. During closures of the east tunnel, a clearly signed diversion for vehicles less than 4.8m (15'-9") high will be in place via the west tunnel. An alternative diversion for vehicles between 4.8m (15'-9") and 5.0m (16'-6") high will be in place via the M25 clockwise. 

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• Saturday 25 February, extended overnight closure of the QEII bridge  

Wider bridge inspections and maintenance works will also take place on Saturday 25 February; however, this booking may be used as a contingency measure to complete our pylon bearing replacements, if this work can't be safely completed on Saturday 18 February due to high winds or any other unseen events.  

The bearings play a crucial role in transferring load from the bridge deck, and they also allow for thermal movement of the bridge as it expands and contracts in different temperatures. These bearings have become worn over time, so they're being replaced to help keep journeys safe and maintained over the next several decades. 

 An extensive maintenance programme is currently underway at the Dartford Crossing which means overnight closures are in place regularly. For those who want to stay up to date on this work visit, www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/a282-dartford-crossing-maintenance-and-repairs