Editing Dartford Crossing (section)

==Location==
{{maplink |frame=yes |frame-align=left |frame-width=250 |frame-height=200 |text=A282 road (crossing and its approaches) highlighted in green |from=Dartford Crossing.map}}
The crossing spans the [[River Thames]] between [[Dartford, Kent]], to the south and [[Thurrock, Essex]], to the north. It is about {{convert|20|mi}} east of the [[centre of London]], outside the [[Greater London]] boundary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford River Crossing: Innovation in Civil Engineering |last=Simpson |first=Robert |publisher=Dartford Town Archive |url=http://www.dartfordarchive.org.uk/technology/communication_drc.shtml |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> The two tunnels are {{convert|4690|ft|m}} long,<ref name=AATrust>{{cite web |title=Tunnel Test 2004 – Dartford Tunnel |date=September 2004 |page=3 |publisher=[[AA Motoring Trust]] |url=http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/dartford_tunnel_test_2004.pdf |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108211825/http://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/driving-costs/dartford-crossing-dart-charge |archive-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> while the [[cable-stayed bridge]] is {{convert|449|ft|m}} high{{efn|For ships, the individual arch clearance is {{convert|54.1|m|ft}} and the main arch span clearance is {{convert|60.2|m|ft}}, both above [[mean high water spring]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Thames Bridges Heights |publisher=Port of London Authority |url=https://pla.co.uk/Safety/Thames-Bridges-Heights |access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref>}} with a main span of {{convert|450|m|ft}}.<ref>{{cite book |title=Bridge |last=Bishop |first=Peter |publisher=[[Reaktion Books]] |page=26 |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-861-89346-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_h39X2cspQ0C&q=dartford+crossing+450+metres&pg=PA26}}</ref> A {{convert|50|mph|km/h|adj=on}} [[speed limits in the United Kingdom|speed limit]] is in place in both directions.<ref name=limits>{{cite report |title=Protocol for operating the A282 Dartford – Thurrock River Crossing during periods of strong winds |publisher=Highways England |url=http://assets.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/the-dartford-thurrock-river-crossing/A282_Dartford_Crossing_High_Winds_Protocol.pdf |access-date=5 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108173459/http://assets.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/the-dartford-thurrock-river-crossing/A282_Dartford_Crossing_High_Winds_Protocol.pdf |archive-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> North of the river, the rail line [[High Speed 1]] (between [[St Pancras International Station|St Pancras]] and [[Ebbsfleet International Station]]s) passes under the approach roads at a near right angle.<ref>{{cite map |title=East London, Billericay & Gravesend |id=Sheet 177 |publisher=Ordnance Survey |scale=1:50,000}}</ref>

The design capacity is 135,000 vehicles per day, but in practice the crossing carries around 160,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford crossing – Dart Charge |publisher=Automobile Association |date=23 November 2015 |url=https://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/cost-of-motoring/dartford-crossing-dart-charge.html |access-date=5 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812211547/http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/cost-of-motoring/dartford-crossing-dart-charge.html |archive-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> It has been described by the [[Highways Agency]] as "a vital transport link for the national and South East economies",<ref>{{cite news |title=£25million to ease hold-ups at Dartford Tunnel |last=Kirby |first=Lucy |work=Kent Echo |date=31 August 2012 |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9904891.__25million_to_ease_hold_ups_at_Dartford_Tunnel/ |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref> by the former [[Secretary of State for Transport]], [[Patrick McLoughlin]], as "a crucial part of the country's strategic road network",<ref name="km_francis">{{cite news |title=Two Thames crossing options |last=Francis |first=Paul |work=Kent Messenger |date=15 July 2014 |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/two-thames-crossing-options--20197/ |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> and by the local [[Thurrock Council]] as "one of Europe's most heavily used crossings and complex traffic management systems".<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford Crossing local resident scheme |publisher=Thurrock Council |url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/thames-crossing/dartford-crossing-local-resident-scheme |access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref> It is signed as a major destination on London's orbital route, the [[M25 motorway|M25]], though the crossing and its approach road are an all-purpose road (the A282);{{efn|[[Highways England]] describe the crossing as "a trunk road link (A282) in the M25 London orbital motorway",<ref>{{cite web |title=Dartford Crossing Remote Payment Scheme |publisher=Highways England |date=February 2016 |url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/dartford-crossing-remote-payment-scheme/ |access-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810223726/http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/dartford-crossing-remote-payment-scheme/ |archive-date=10 August 2016}}</ref> and the crossing has been described as part of the M25 by [[Auto Express]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=Drivers face up to £3m in weekly fines on the Dartford Crossing |journal=Auto Express |date=30 March 2016 |url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/89626/drivers-face-up-to-3m-in-weekly-fines-on-the-dartford-crossing |access-date=8 August 2016 |quote="There are no longer any toll booths at the Dartford Crossing on the M25."}}</ref> and ''[[The Independent]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=M25 Dartford crossing: Millions of motorists face fines as crossing prepares to switch from toll-bridge to 'free flow' system |newspaper=The Independent |date=7 November 2014 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/m25-dartford-crossing-millions-of-motorists-face-fines-as-crossing-prepares-to-switch-from-toll-9846554.html |access-date=8 August 2016}}</ref>}} this allows some (though not all) non-motorway traffic—such as mopeds, learner drivers and agricultural vehicles—to use it. The speed limit for the crossing is set at 50 mph.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/the-dartford-crossing-charge/|title=Dartford Crossing Toll: how to pay Dart Charge  &#124; RAC Drive}}</ref> Though not the name of the crossing infrastructure, the actual road across the Thames is named '''Canterbury Way'''. Southbound traffic crosses the four-lane bridge, while northbound traffic uses both of the two-lane road tunnels. The bridge can be closed due to high winds<ref name=limits/> or maintenance. On these occasions, traffic uses the tunnels in both directions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Closures and diversions at Dartford Crossing |work=Kent Messenger |date=30 September 2008 |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/closures-and-diversions-at-dartford-crossin-a104592/ |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref> The crossing and its approaches, like most UK urban motorways, are equipped with [[Lane control lights|lane control]] and [[variable-message sign]]s to manage traffic.

===Alternative routes===
The next nearest vehicle crossings to the west of Dartford are the [[Woolwich Ferry]] and the [[Blackwall Tunnel]], both well within East London.  When the bridge is closed in high winds and for maintenance, no convenient diversion exists through London for the higher-limit southbound vehicles. Those over {{convert|5.03|m|ft}} are diverted around the far side of the M25.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing to get tunnel and bridge closures as Dart Charge introduced and gantries installed near QEII bridge |last=Morris |first=Thom |work=Kent Messenger |date=14 May 2014 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/dartford-crossing-gantries-17162/ |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref>

A number of new crossings have been proposed as relief for the Dartford Crossing. The proposed [[Thames Gateway Bridge]] to the west was provisionally supported in 2004,<ref>{{cite news |title=Troubled waters |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 October 2004 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/oct/20/communities.environment |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Decision details: Thames Gateway Bridge – Consultation |publisher=Barking & Dagenham Council |date=24 September 2004 |url=https://modgov.lbbd.gov.uk/internet/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=704 |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> but was cancelled in November 2008 when [[Boris Johnson]] became Mayor of London.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Mayor outlines ten year plan for massive transport expansion |date=6 November 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |url=http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-outlines-ten-year-plan-massive-transport-expansion |access-date=11 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629165406/http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-outlines-ten-year-plan-massive-transport-expansion |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> Johnson subsequently proposed the [[Gallions Reach Ferry]], a ferry crossing in the same location, as an alternative.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boris can't put off a new Thames crossing in the east |author=Andrew Adonis |author-link=Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis |newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]] |date=11 June 2013 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/andrew-adonis-boris-cant-put-off-a-new-thames-crossing-in-the-east-8653336.html |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The [[Lower Thames Crossing]] is a proposed tunnel to the east between [[Shorne]], Kent and [[South Ockendon]], Essex.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lower Thames Crossing: 'More M25 misery' if option agreed |work=BBC News |date=15 November 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23237945 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=bbc_39575467>{{cite news |title=Lower Thames Crossing route between Kent and Essex revealed |work=BBC News |date=12 April 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-39575467 |access-date=26 April 2017}}</ref> [[Thurrock Council]] suggest that this crossing will be essential for managing congestion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tunnel recommended for new Thames crossing |work=BBC News |date=9 July 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23237945 |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref> A public consultation on the scheme ended in March 2016, with the route announced in April 2017.<ref name=bbc_39575467/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lower Thames Crossing Consultation |publisher=Highways England |date=25 March 2016 |url=https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/cip/lower-thames-crossing-consultation |access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New River Thames road crossing route linking Kent and Essex unveiled |date=12 April 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/12/new-river-thames-road-crossing-route-unveiled/ |access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>
{{As of|2023|December}}, contracts have been awarded and the target date for completion is 2032.<ref name=":7">{{cite magazine |last=Hakimian |first=Rob |date=7 December 2023 |title=Bouygues-Murphy JV wins £1.3bn Lower Thames Crossing tunnelling contract |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/bouygues-murphy-jv-wins-1-3bn-lower-thames-crossing-tunnelling-contract-07-12-2023/ |access-date=14 December 2023}}</ref>