Both Dartford Crossing tunnels will close for an emergency services exercise this weekend.
National Highways will run the planned exercise at the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing from 8pm tonight (Saturday, September 12) until 5am tomorrow (Sunday, September 13).
Both the east and west tunnels into Essex will be closed during the operation.
A temporary contraflow on QEII Bridge will provide one lane in each direction while these closures are in place.
To allow this system to operate, the A282 junction 1a and 1b northbound entry slip roads will also close.
Drivers will be diverted to M25 junction 2 and return.
M25 junction 31 southbound entry slip will also close, with traffic diverted to junction 30 and return.
Drivers may see more emergency service vehicles and personnel at the crossing.
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National Highways said the exercise is intended to check that emergency response procedures remain effective.
The arrangements include specific rules for dangerous goods vehicles and abnormal loads.
While the contraflow is operating, those vehicles will not need to report to the marshalling area on the Kent side.
Signs and traffic management will direct all vehicles through the QEII Bridge.
After the contraflow has been removed, dangerous goods vehicles and abnormal loads must report there as usual.
Vehicles needing an escort will then be escorted through the tunnels under standard operating procedures.
Further closures are planned during September.
On Sunday, September 13, the Dartford west tunnel will close from 10.30pm to 5.30am.
It will also close from 10pm to 5.30am each night from Monday, September 14 to Thursday, September 17.
On Friday, September 18, it will close from 11pm to 6am.
The QEII Bridge will close from 9pm on Saturday, September 19, until 9am on Sunday, September 20.
The Dartford east tunnel will close from 10.30pm to 5.30am on Sunday, September 20, with no access for vehicles over 4.8m.
The west tunnel will then close from 10pm to 5.30am from Monday, September 21 to Thursday, September 24, each night, and again on Friday, September 25, from 11pm to 6am.
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