A421 Dualling
On the 1st December 2010 the new dual carriageway was
opened to reduce congestion, improve journey times and safety
between the M1 and Bedford. The new eight-mile route
- which links junction 13 of the M1 to the Bedford
southern bypass- replaces the former A421 single
carriageway. Environmental work started on site in
October 2008, with major construction starting in April 2009
and completion in December 2010 - one month ahead of schedule.
Up to 27,000 vehicles per day use the A421, and high traffic
flows on the original A421made journey times unreliable and
resulted in a poor accident record. The new dual carriageway is
hoped to bring significant improvements. The former A421 will be
de-trunked and become the responsibility of Bedford Borough and
Central Bedfordshire Councils.
Interesting facts regarding the A421 dualling scheme
- 2,160,000 man-hours have been
worked
- A total of 120 sub contractors have worked
on the project
- At its height, the workforce comprised 150
staff, 100 operatives and 500 sub contractor employees.
For more information regarding the A421 dualling scheme please
refer to the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk
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