Date confirmed for A63 opening

Long-running roadworks on the A63 in Hull city centre will come to an end when the road opens on Monday 23 March, National Highways confirmed.

Work started in 2020 on the £355m Castle Street project to build a new split-level junction which involved lowering part of the busy road through an underpass.

Senior project manager Fran Oliver said: "Construction of the A63 underpass has been one of the most complex engineering challenges in the UK."

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said: "Residents across the city will breathe a sigh of relief with the news that the underpass is to open in the coming weeks."

Ross added: "It is clear the scheme has caused considerable disruption for many - both residents and businesses alike.

"The completion of this aspect of the A63 project is just another reason as to why 2026 is a landmark year of positive change for Hull."

The scheme has taken part of the A63 underground, allowing for Ferensway and Commercial Road to meet at street level.

Work was originally due to finish by April 2025, but that was delayed by a year due to "extremely challenging ground conditions".

Oliver said it had been "a fantastically large project", involving specialist engineers and some "complicated calculations going on".

Archaeologists, who were carrying out excavation work as part of the project, uncovered the remains of a victim of "one of Hull's worst dockland disasters", as well as an 18th Century jail, a suspected World War Two bomb site and traces of a medieval settlement.

Oliver said: "We're pleased to be able to confirm that the underpass is on course to be fully open by the morning of Monday 23 March."

"This eagerly anticipated new road layout will increase connectivity between the centre of the city and the port and other leisure activities, boosting the local economy and tourism.

"We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we've worked to get to this significant milestone."

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