National Highways: A38 Saltash Tunnel – Tidal flow switch on date announced (6am Tuesday 19 May)

 Rigorous safety testing of the new tidal flow lane control system at Saltash Tunnel and across the Tamar Bridge has gone well.

 As a result, on Tuesday 19 May at 6am, we’ll be switching on the new lane control system.

 Once live, we will be able to change the direction of traffic via the overhead signals.

 Until then, drivers must continue to stay in lane.

 What you can expect to see over the coming days

As we prepare to turn on the new system, we’ll be carrying out some works during our overnight tunnel closures. We’ll be:

 removing the temporary traffic management that’s been in place, such as signage

• Repainting the linings on the road
• From 6am on 19 May, the speed limit from Carkeel roundabout down to the tunnel will return to the permanent 50mph limit. New signage will be in place to reflect this.

What’s next?

While switching on the new system is a key milestone for the scheme, we still have a lot of work to do in and around the tunnel for the next few months. This includes:

 Continuing the technology upgrades in the tunnel such as:

• • New signage 
  • Dynamic lighting upgrades 
  • Power installations 
  • Fibre optic installations

• Installing the new electronic variable messaging signs at Carkeel and Manadon
• Resurfacing the tunnel from the western approach to the bridge approach, including slip roads

 Overnight tunnel closures (Monday – Thursday) will remain until later in the summer.

 The scheme will be fully complete later this year. 

 More information on our scheme, please visit our dedicated webpage.