THE A64 near York is set to re-open fully tonight, giving motorists a two and a half week break from contraflow misery.

And a final decision is expected later this week on what should happen when phase two of the roadworks at Copmanthorpe starts in the New Year.

City of York Council officers will find out at a meeting with the Highways Agency whether two lanes of traffic can be kept flowing in one direction.

The scheme to build an underpass for Copmanthorpe traffic and re-construct the dual carriageway has caused lengthy delays this autumn, on both the A64 and in the city centre, as traffic diverted through York to avoid the single-lane contraflow.

The Evening Press' Get York Moving campaign supported the council in its calls for two lanes to be maintained in one direction when the second phase of the scheme starts on January 5.

But the agency has warned that extra lanes could mean the scheme taking longer than planned, taking it through next year's busy summer holiday period.

Contractors RMC Surfacing say the re-opening of both carriageways tonight means Christmas has come early for motorists.

But they stressed that a 50 mph speed limit would have to be maintained for safety reasons, because work would be continuing alongside the carriageway during the Christmas period.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said it intended reopening the full carriageway this evening, in time for tomorrow's morning rush hour.

Referring to the 50 mph limit, she said the road had been narrowed slightly in the area of the underpass by temporary concrete barriers at the roadside.

She added that the Agency intended meeting with City of York Council before the end of this week.

Updated: 08:16 Tuesday, December 18, 2001