Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
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Works Progress
Works Progress
Works Update
An important milestone was achieved in December 2007, with the opening of the new Thong Lane Road bridge to allow two way traffic between Cobham and Thong villages over the A2 for the fi rst time. The opening of the new bridge allowed the old bridge to be demolished over two weekend closures during February.
The concrete central section of the bridge was removed during the first closure between 9pm on 9th February and 2pm on 10th February. The bridge deck was cut into three sections, the largest weighing over 60 tonnes, which were lifted onto heavy load trailers and taken away for recycling. Work had to be carried out carefully to ensure that the 36 inch medium pressure gas main that runs close to the bridge was not damaged.
The remaining sections of the bridge were demolished during the second closure between 9pm on 16th February and 3pm on 17th February. A third weekend closure had been planned, but was not required.
Demolition was carefully coordinated with other activities including construction of a drain across the carriageway, installation of three gantries for signage, safety barrier and resurfacing to reduce the need for subsequent lane closures and minimise disruption to road users.
Footbridges have been lifted into place at Ifield Court and Church Road to provide connections with the local footpath and bridleway network, including the Weald Way.
The footbridges have been designed with Gravesham Borough Council as a gateway to the area and will feature a design based on the "Springhead Hare", a Roman brooch discovered by archaeologists during construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Footpath links from Gravesend to the south of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will be opened in December 2008. Construction so far has required 21,000 tonnes of structural concrete, 150,000 tonnes of surfacing, 10,000m of safety barrier, 550,000m³ of earth moving, 13,400m of new drainage and 335 new lighting columns. Over one million man hours have been worked on the project without an HSE reportable injury.
Landscape and Planting Works
Once the traffic has moved onto the new carriageway, the old road will be landscaped to provide a 28 hectare green corridor. 150,000m³ of earth will be moved to create mounding along the old carriageway to provide screening of the new road for residential areas to the north.
The park will include footpaths, cycleways and an equestrian route along with extensive areas of tree and shrub planting, grass and a wildflower meadow.
Landscape planting to the new road started at the end of 2007. So far 30,000 native trees and shrubs, sourced from a local nursery, have been planted. The planting will screen the road from nearby residential areas, integrate the road into the landscape and provide areas of nature conservation interest within the scheme.
