The long term aim to demolish the upper level of Gateshead Highway gets mentioned every now and again on the SkyscraperCity forum - highly recommended if any of you are interested in developments and infrastructure locally (https://www.skyscrapercity.com/forums/no...land.2254/), nationally or worldwide.

As mentioned this Sunderland Rd bus link junction was created on the bottom level of Gateshead Highway (future boulevard) not only for buses to cross the highway, but also so pedestrians and cyclists could cross at-grade rather than using the old unwelcoming subways.
This will improve movement between current and future neighbourhoods and the town centre.