A new dual carriageway is set to open just in time for Leeds Festival weekend, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council has confirmed.
The East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR), which is part of the Thorpe Park development, is set to open next in August, and it will become a new section of the Leeds outer Ring Road.
It will connect the A6120 Outer Ring Road Shadwell to the north to Manston Lane in the south where it connects to the Manston Lane Link Road.
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A spokesperson for the authority said its opening will ease congestion across Cross Gates, Seacroft and Whitkirk which are often heavily impacted by traffic heading to and from the Leeds festival site in Bramham Park.
The 7km dual carriageway, which is said to be the council’s biggest infrastructure project in 50 years, includes five new roundabouts at the A6120, A58, Skelton’s Lane, the A64 and Barwick Road.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “It’s tremendous that the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR), the biggest infrastructure project undertaken by Leeds City Council for fifty years, since the completion of the Leeds Inner Ring Road is to be opened in time for the Leeds Festival weekend at Bramham Park.
“There's still a considerable amount of work to be done but our contractor is now confident about the opening. I am grateful to all those involved in this very significant civil engineering project which is of critical importance to the city.
“I’d encourage all people travelling to the festival to plan their journey ahead of time to help ease traffic congestion during this exceptionally busy bank holiday weekend.”
The remaining works on the project include landscaping that has seasonal planting restrictions and will continue until the contractual completion date in December 2022.
Stephen Semple, Area Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “Testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams over the last three years, we are pleased that the East Leeds Orbital Route has now opened on schedule and ahead of Leeds Festival in August.
“Working alongside Leeds City Council, we have made significant and sustainable contributions to the local economy and community, engaging a local workforce wherever possible whilst also delivering numerous employment and skills workshops for the surrounding community.”
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