Later consultations will explore whether the crossing would be a bridge or a tunnel.
The proposed crossing would be aimeded tackling the current congestion and capacity issues at the A282 Dartford-Thurrock crossing, which is currently the only route over the river to the east of London. Its west tunnel opened in 1963 and was joined in 1980 by the east tunnel and then by the cable-stayed bridge, which opened to traffic in 1991.
One of the new crossing options would be at the site of the existing Dartford-Thurrock crossing. The second option would connect the A2 Swanscombe Peninsula with the A1089 and the third would join the M2 motorway with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30.
Roads minister Stephen Hammond said: “With traffic levels expected to increase by a fifth over the next 30 years, it is vital we take action now on the future of a new Lower Thames crossing to make sure that our road network is able to meet the future economic needs of the country.”
