Tollbar Island completion date 'under pressure'

[dutchman]

Highways England have admitted that the planned completion date for Coventry's massive Tollbar End project is “under pressure”.



Improvements at the £106million project were scheduled to be complete in autumn 2016, but contractors were forced to halt some work in September after problems were identified with new bridges.

The Telegraph has previously reported that checks on bridge supports after they had been installed revealed ‘voids’ in the concrete.

Highways England have stressed that the small voids do not affect the strength of the bridge supports, but could limit the lifespan of the bridges, which are supposed to last for 120 years.

The project’s managers have now hinted in their December 2015 newsletter that the issue could mean that they miss their 2016 deadline to complete the redevelopment of the busy junction.

The pamphlet reads: “The planned project completion date remains autumn 2016, however, this is under pressure due to these issues.

“Analysis and implementation of a solution for the bridge support issues is a high priority.”

When the Telegraph reported in September that there was a problem with the concrete used to build the bridge supports, Highways England said that it was hoped a solution for the problem would be found by November or December.

A spokesperson from Highways England confirmed to the Telegraph yesterday (Wednesday, December 16) that no solution has been agreed after three months of investigation.

Paul Nagra, project manager for Highways England, previously said: “As the bridge is on top now we are looking at a couple of options, which are being worked on at the moment.”

It is understood the bridge will not be taken down.

Work is still ongoing on other parts of the notorious junction in the hope that other areas of the scheme can be opened towards the end of the year.

The improvement project, which started at the beginning of last year, was approved in the hopes that it would improve safety and traffic flow at the busy A45 and A46 interchange.

[dutchman]

Tollbar Island delay confirmed: Huge £106m project won't be finished on time

All work on the massive Tollbar Island redevelopment will not be finished until 2017 - although Highways England insist the ‘majority’ of the scheme will be finished for road users by December 2016.

The £106million project was due to be completed by autumn next year but problems were found with concrete in newly installed bridge supports.

Highways England has been working on a solution to the problem since, revealing in September that checks had shown small ‘voids’ in the concrete supports propping up the bridges.

The Telegraph reported earlier that the completion date for the junction was ‘under pressure’ and no decision had been made on how to fix the problem.

But Highways England now says work has already begun on repairing some bridge supports.

Some will have the ‘voids’ removed and replaced, while the worst affected bridge will need to have extra supports built behind the affected ones.

The ‘voids’ have not weakened the supports but they do limit the lifespan of the bridges, which are meant to last for 120 years.

The repairs mean more overnight closures at the site will take place in the coming weeks.

Anthony Johnson, senior project manager at Highways England, told the Telegraph: “The majority of the work will be done by December 2016.

“By spring we will have traffic on the new bridges.”

“By December next year, the underpass will be open to traffic, the bridges will be open to traffic. The project will be substantially complete.

“If we encounter no further issues with the bridge supports, we expect to open the new bridges by spring 2016 and for the project to be open for traffic by December 2016.”

Mr Johnson added: “We are pleased to say that solutions have been found for the issues encountered on the new roundabout bridges’ supports and we are starting preparatory work over the next week, so that full work can start on the east bridge supports in January.

"Work is already underway on the west bridge supports.”

He explained to the Telegraph the two different ways contractors would be repairing the supports.

“The problems were more significant on the east bridge. On the east bridge we will be putting in some additional supports behind the existing supports, which we can do with the bridge deck in place. We will then tie them into the bridge deck.

“The issues on the west bridge were less significant. We’ve already begun repair work to bring it up to the required standard.

“The voids can be found in localised areas. These will be broken out and replaced.

“We will work in small areas at a time. There will be no risk to the supports.”

When asked by the Telegraph why there were different solutions for each bridge and whether the choices were made due to cost, Mr Johnson said: “The solution is based on what the need is for each bridge. We are confident that these are the most effective solutions.

“All parties are working hard to complete this project as early as possible, as we know how important it is for local people and drivers on this route.”

Highways England said that before work could start on excavating the new underpass where the A45 would meet the A46, the bridges needed to be fully repaired so new traffic could be moved onto them.

Mr Johnson said: “We will maintain the existing traffic measures. Work will be done at night and the standard diversions will be in place.”

"Other work has continued to progress and we’re continuing to open new lanes to traffic.

"The A45 Stonebridge Highway westbound over the River Sowe bridge has reopened to two lanes this week, and by the end of January 2016, both carriageways will be opened up to the new 3 lane layout.

"The work to the A46 Kenilworth Bypass northbound is nearing completion and will have all lanes open by February 2016."

[dutchman]

Landmark moment for Tollbar improvements as new bridge opens



Monday marks a major milestone in the Tollbar Island improvement scheme in Coventry with the opening of a new bridge .

Work on the bridge, on the western side of the roundabout, is scheduled to be completed on Sunday night and will be open in time for morning rush hour traffic at 6am on Monday.

To complete this stage of the project, overnight closures of the A45 Stonebridge Highway between Styvechale junction and Tollbar roundabout will be in place between 8pm and 6am tonight and tomorrow. Diversions will be signed.

Maps will be placed around the roundabout to direct cyclists and pedestrians around the new bridge.

Paul Nagra, project manager at Highways England, said: “The opening of the west bridge is a key milestone for the scheme, allowing us to start excavating through the existing roundabout to form the underpass.

“Due to the change in road layout, I’d like to remind drivers to take extra care, follow the road signs and observe the speed limit to keep themselves and our road workers safe.

“I’d also like to advise drivers to allow extra time for their journeys while people get accustomed to the new roundabout layout.”

[dutchman]

Warning of "significant delays" during A45 closure as part of Tollbar works

Part of the A45 in Coventry will be closed for a full weekend as part of the Tollbar improvement scheme.

The closure is taking place in advance of the opening of the east bridge later this month – another milestone for the scheme.

Contractors for Highways England need to close the eastbound carriageway of the A45 Stonebridge Highway between Stivichall junction and Tollbar to reconstruct and resurface the slip road on the approach to the roundabout.

The closure will be in place from 9pm on Friday, June 10, until 5am on Monday, June 13.

There will be additional overnight closures between 8pm and 6am on Monday, June 13, and Tuesday, June 14.

Highways England project manager Paul Nagra said: “Our contractors will be digging out the existing carriageway and reconstructing the road, which is why it is essential that we close this section of the A45.

“Completing this work means drivers will be able to enjoy the benefits of a new roundabout layout when the new east bridge opens later this month. Once in place, this new layout will reduce queuing on the approach.

“Significant delays are expected, so we’d like to advise people to plan their journeys in advance, consider alternative routes and allow extra time if they need to travel when the road is closed.”