A key ‘milestone’ in the programme to dual one of the region’s busiest roads will be reached by the end of the month.

Work is now in its final stages on the £134m Fiveways to Thetford project to widen the 5.5miles of the road and the construction of a 3.6mile bypass around the village of Elveden, from Chalk Hall Farm to Thetford roundabout.

The Highways Agency today said the new bypass could open on April 28, with one lane running in each direction and with a 40mph speed limit, between Chalk Hall Farm to near the end of the scheme, just before Thetford roundabout.

Highways Agency project manager, Geoff Chatfield, said: “Work on the A11 dualling and improvement scheme is progressing well, and with the opening of the A11 bypass we have reached a key milestone.

“This opening brings us one step closer to delivering smoother, faster journeys along and around the A11 in Suffolk. We have worked closely with local partners to ensure disruption to road users during the closures is kept to a minimum. Although this is just a partial opening with one lane in each direction with a 40mph speed limit for the time being, road users and local residents will see an immediate benefit of reduced congestion and smoother journeys.”

a spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said if weather conditions hold over the next few days, work to open the bypass is expected to commence overnight on Sunday April 27 and complete by 6am on Monday April 28. A11 traffic will then use the new bypass as the regular route.

HGVs that normally use the C633 towards Bury St Edmunds will be directed to leave the A11 at the new B1106 junction and follow signs to continue their normal route. Advanced warning signs will be placed along local roads directing traffic. Access to businesses and properties along the B1106 and within Elveden Village will remain open as usual, via the new junction.

Once the bypass is opened, work will begin to construct the new southbound slip road less than a mile south of the Thetford roundabout. This work is expected to take approximately 12 weeks.

For more information about the scheme and to register for regular updates, visit http:// www .highways .gov .uk/ r o a d s / r o a d - p r o j e c t s / a 1 1 - f i v e w a y s - t o - t h e t f o r d - i m p r o v e m ent. Road users can also call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or follow @HAtraffic_east on Twitter.