(Image: National Highways)
A £130 million road upgrade scheme in South Tyneside is still earning praise five years on.
The A19 Testo’s junction, completed in 2021, has been commended for improving travel, supporting business growth and strengthening the regional economy.
The project included the construction of a 142-metre, 1,300-tonne flyover above the roundabout, allowing uninterrupted travel along the A19 and reducing congestion.
You can relive the start of the A19 Testo’s journey in the video below.
John McCabe, chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "Five years on, the A19 Testo’s flyover has shown why investing in strategic infrastructure matters.
"By transforming one of the North East’s busiest congestion hotspots, the upgrade has improved journeys, strengthened connections and supported major employment sites, creating the conditions for businesses to grow and invest.
"The Chamber's policy priorities are clear that improving transport is fundamental to unlocking the North East economy.
"The success of Testo’s demonstrates the lasting value of infrastructure that boosts productivity, attracts investment and gives businesses the reliable networks they need to compete and thrive."
Additional improvements included new slip roads to the A184 and link roads between Downhill Lane and Testo’s, aimed at improving travel times and providing safer routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.
The upgrade has been especially important for the nearby Nissan plant, the region’s largest industrial employer.
The improved junction has removed key bottlenecks, speeding up freight deliveries and employee commutes, while also improving access to the International Advanced Manufacturing Park.
Construction began in March 2019 and took more than a million work hours to complete, with around 60 per cent of the work hours coming from a local workforce.
Simon Boyle, regional director for National Highways (Yorkshire & North East), said: "We are so proud of the impact that the A19 Testo’s junction has had.
"We set ourselves a mission to increase capacity, improve traffic flow and unlock economic growth, which is what we’ve delivered.
"As our data shows, we created the space that was sorely needed to host thousands of extra vehicles every day, transforming travel in the region."
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National Highways data recorded an average of 104,033 vehicles daily on the A19 between the A1231 and A194 Leam Lane in the period 2023 to 2026, representing an approximate 17.1 per cent growth compared to 88,828 in the three years prior to construction.
The scheme was delivered by National Highways in partnership with Costain and Jacobs, who were recognised with the 'Civils Project of the Year' award at the Constructing Excellence awards.
Cllr Karen Pittuck, lead member for highways, neighbourhoods and community safety at South Tyneside Council, said: "The transformation of Testo’s junction has made a lasting difference to how people travel in and around South Tyneside."