Motorists in Northampton, Northamptonshire, can now use the Queen Eleanor Interchange again following the completion of major road upgrades on 20 March 2026. The West Northamptonshire Council finished the project ahead of the weekend to help improve traffic flow for thousands of daily drivers.
The work on the busy junction near the A45 was originally expected to be finished by the end of 2025. However, the timeline was extended into spring 2026 after teams ran into unexpected engineering challenges. These issues included problems with underground utility pipes and the need to dig through hard rock.
The council managed the project in partnership with Kier Transportation and WSP. Before the upgrades, the interchange was considered unable to handle the high volume of vehicles using the route each day.
The full reopening marks the end of nearly a year of road closures and lane restrictions that began in late March 2025. These improvements are expected to provide immediate relief for residents and commuters who travel through this part of the town.
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