Weeks of overnight closures on the “rollercoaster” A299 have been delayed at the last minute due to forecast heavy rain.
Work was due to start tonight to resurface stretches of the Thanet Way plagued by dips, ridges and sinking caused by unstable clay beneath the road.
But the seven-week project will now begin at 8pm tomorrow after Kent County Council postponed the start due to the weather.
A spokesperson said: “Work is now scheduled to start tomorrow evening, subject to suitable weather conditions. We do not anticipate this short delay having a significant impact on the overall programme.
“Our teams will be working to recover time during the week, with the aim of keeping the scheme on track for completion as planned.”
Sections of the Thanet Way will shut between 8pm and 6am until July 21.
The works are designed to smooth out hazardous sections of the route between Whitstable and St Nicholas-at-Wade and allow a controversial 50mph speed limit to finally be removed before the summer holidays.
But transport bosses admit the programme is only a temporary fix as they simultaneously seek £63 million from the government to tackle much deeper structural problems that could otherwise lead to road bridges and tunnels eventually shutting.
KCC has confirmed the overnight closures will happen in phases across different sections of the route.
The first closures begin tonight on the Londonbound carriageway between Herne Bay and Whitstable and will remain in place until June 18.
Work will then move to the coastbound side between Whitstable and Herne Bay from June 18 to July 3.
Closures are also planned on the Herne Bay slip roads, with the on-slip shut from July 3 to July 9 and the off-slip closed between July 10 and July 11.
The coastbound carriageway between Herne Bay and St Nicholas-at-Wade will then close overnight between July 13 and July 14 before the final phase takes place on the Londonbound side between St Nicholas-at-Wade and Herne Bay from July 14 to July 21.
Motorists are being warned to expect delays and follow signed diversion routes.
Cllr Peter Osborne, cabinet member for highways and transport, said previously: “The A299 is a vital route for residents, businesses and visitors travelling to and from east Kent.
“These resurfacing works will make a meaningful difference to driving conditions and help keep people safe.
“We recognise the inconvenience road closures can cause, which is why these works are being carefully phased and carried out overnight wherever possible.
“Thank you to everyone for their patience while we carry out these essential improvements.”
The Thanet Way has been at the centre of mounting frustration since a 50mph restriction was introduced in September between Dargate and the former Roman Galley pub after inspections revealed worsening damage linked to shifting clay beneath the carriageway.
KCC says about 25,000 square metres of road surface will be repaired during the programme, with the aim of restoring the national speed limit before peak summer traffic arrives.
However, the council has warned resurfacing alone will not solve the underlying problems.
Officials have submitted a £63 million bid to the Department for Transport’s Structures Fund to pay for wider improvements including tunnel refurbishments, bridge repairs and deeper reconstruction of sections of road.
Without that money, KCC says there is a risk more drastic measures may eventually need to be considered.
In the worst-case scenario, that could include closing four road bridges crossing the dual-carriageway or even shutting major pieces of infrastructure such as the Chestfield Tunnel.
Closing the tunnel would effectively sever the route between Herne Bay and Whitstable.
A KCC spokesperson previously warned: “For the tunnels and underpasses, likewise we may end up in a worst-case situation where we cannot safely keep these assets open to traffic if we cannot secure support with funding the necessary overhauls.”
The authority insists all infrastructure remains safe and says the funding bid is aimed at preventing future restrictions, closures and emergency repairs.
A temporary traffic order connected to the resurfacing programme allows closures to be enforced for up to 18 months, although the council says roads will only shut on the specific dates listed in the programme.
