THE A35 could fully reopen later this week if repairs on a large sink hole are successful.
The westbound carriageway of the Puddletown Bypass near Dorchester has been closed since Tuesday, May 11 due to the sink hole after Highways England originally attempted to repair a pot hole the day before.
The westbound side between Bere Regis and Dorchester is closed with a 17-mile diversion in place as Highways England continue to assess and repair the damaged road.
In an update, a spokesman for Highways England said that if the repairs are successful, the carriageway could reopen on Thursday, May 20.
He said: "Construction work is underway today on the A35 westbound between the A31 at Bere Regis and the A35 at Stinsford roundabout to repair a large surface defect.
"Depending on progress over the coming days, we anticipate reopening the westbound carriageway later this week and we’ll try and do this by Thursday morning.
"Until then, the diversion route following the solid triangle via the Bere Regis Roundabout at the A31, south to Wool, before taking the A352 back to the A35, will remain in place."
The agency said geotechnical survey work to assess the size and extent of the damage has been taking place since Wednesday, with design work carried out at the weekend ahead.
A 17-mile diversion has been put in place while investigations proceed and repairs are carried out.
Drivers heading westbound on the A35 are being diverted via Bere Regis Roundabout on the A31, south to Wool, before taking the A352 back to the A35, following the solid triangle diversion.
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