Dartford Crossing East Tunnel to Shut Nightly in June
Commuters brace yourselves! The Dartford Crossing’s east tunnel will face regular night-time closures starting Monday, June 3, and running through to Monday, July 1, 2024. Essential maintenance works mean drivers must plan ahead or face delays.
Major Maintenance on East Tunnel and QEII Bridge
The closures are necessary to repair crucial electrical components in the east tunnel and carry out upkeep on the QEII bridge at the A282 junction 1b. Expect the A282 northbound carriageway—from M25 junction 2 to A282 junction 1a—and the east tunnel to shut during specified night hours to keep workers and drivers safe.
A big weekend hit comes on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, when the QEII bridge will close from 10pm to 5am for vital repairs.
Nightly Closures and Weekend Safety Checks
- East tunnel will be closed weekdays from 9pm until as late as 6am, with minor timing differences depending on the day.
- Weekend inspections continue: the west tunnel shuts Saturdays 10pm–5am, the east tunnel on Sundays during the same hours.
- No vehicles taller than 4.8 metres allowed in tunnels during these times.
From June 24 to 28, the east tunnel nightly closures resume Monday to Friday, with smaller vehicles directed to the west tunnel. Taller vehicles (4.8m-5.0m) get detoured around the M25 clockwise.
Detours and Traffic Impact
Northbound drivers will be rerouted via the A2 eastbound, B255 northbound, and A206 westbound, with access to the west tunnel maintained via the northbound slip road. The Dartford Crossing handles over 50 million vehicles every year, making these closures a big deal for anyone commuting in and around London.
These maintenance efforts aim to boost safety and keep this vital route running smoothly for millions of motorists.
