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According to statistics, up to 180,000 vehicles use the bridge during its busiest times
- Michael Golson, Senior Motors Reporter
THE Dartford Crossing, one of the busiest bridges in Europe, is set to close in both directions for one night later this month.
Highways bosses have confirmed that the toll route, which crosses the River Thames between Kent and Essex, will be closed for maintenance works.
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National Highways has stated that the closure will allow workers to paint metal components on the structure to protect them from corrosion.
The closure, taking place next weekend, will be in effect from 10pm on Saturday, 26 April, to 5am on Sunday, 27 April.
What’s more, the eastern tunnel - crossing from Kent to Essex - will also be closed, with work scheduled from 10pm next Sunday until 5am on Monday, 28 April.
The Dartford Crossing is currently the only way to cross the Thames east of London by road.
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It links the counties of Essex and Kent via the cable-stayed Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which stands 137 metres high and carries southbound traffic, and two 0.8-mile-long tunnels for northbound journeys.
According to statistics, up to 180,000 vehicles use the bridge during its busiest times, although it was originally designed for 135,000 vehicles a day.
Its daily average works out at approximately 150,000 vehicles.
Almost 40% of those vehicles are HGVs carrying freight - a much higher proportion than on other major roads.
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National Highways has also warned that further disruption can be expected on the QEII Bridge between April and October due to ongoing painting work.
This will involve overnight lane closures on various dates, which are yet to be specified.
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However, the agency has insisted that most of the work - designed to protect the bridge's metalwork from corrosion - will be completed without causing disruption to drivers.
Some of the Dartford Crossing's traffic is set to be reduced in the coming years thanks to a huge, motorway-style tunnel that's to cost some £9 billion.
To be called the Lower Thames Crossing, the 14.3-mile route - which will be the longest of its kind in the UK - will run through Essex and Kent.
Specifically, it will link Tilbury in Essex to Medway in Kent, and also be connected to the A2 and M2 in Kent, as well as the A13 and M25 in Essex.
It would also provide transport links between London and the crossings to Dover, which account for half of the goods traded between Britain and mainland Europe.
