Work to build a triple-decker roundabout to ease congestion and improve safety is nearing completion.
Highways England said the £75 million scheme to revamp one of North Tyneside’s busiest junctions is now 80% complete.
Drivers on the A19 are often forced to queue even if they are going straight on due to the existing set up of the Silverlink roundabout.
Once the project is finished, these vehicles will be able to use a new road beneath the roundabout, while the A1058 Coast Road will continue to run above the junction.
Enough soil to fill 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools has been removed to create the underpass.
More than 35,000 vehicles are expected to use the new road each day once it opens in March next year.
Highways England assistant project manager Steven Cox said: “You can really see the junction starting to take shape with the three layers and it’s fantastic that we are now entering the final stages.
“Work to remove the 80,000 cubic metres of soil has now been completed and this marks yet another major milestone on this vital scheme.
“We have six months left on site and we will be pulling out all the stops to ensure this scheme is completed on time.”
Triple-decker roundabouts already exist on parts of the Highways England network of motorways and major A roads, including the M25 junctions with the A2 and A3.