Highways Agency

A34 Chieveley / M4 Jct 13 Improvement

Bridge Construction

Outline

You may well think at first glance when passing the site that all there is, is just an earthworks and roadworks project. Whilst this is a logistical challenge in itself the scheme does include eight bridges.

Of the eight bridges, one takes traffic under the M4 motorway (Bridge 1) just west of the current Junction 13 roundabout, another takes eastbound traffic from the M4 onto the northbound A34 with four overbridges south of the motorway linking the new road network. Two equestrian bridges will also be constructed, one to replace the old Bussock Wood Bridge and the other linking Green Lane (S) and Chalky Lane.

Mobilisation and the commencement of piling works to the bridges south of Junction 13 have just commenced. These works are carried out off the current roads and have little or no effect to traffic flows throughout July.

Works to the central section of Bridge 1 (M4 underpass) is programmed to start in August. A temporary traffic system is being put in place to minimise disruption on the M4 and to allow three lanes in each direction.

A34 North - Construction Phases

Phase 1

Aim is to open Radnall Farm track plus:

• Bulk earthworks
• Bridge 4 construction
• Service diversions
• Summer 2003

Phase 2

Aim is to open Bridge 4 to Chieveley traffic plus:

• Bulk earthworks
• Service diversions
• Open early 2004

Phase 3

Open Bridge 4 to main A34 northbound traffic plus:

• Roadworks to dual carriageway
• Open Spring 2004

Phase 4A

Aim is to construct new southbound widening and tie-ins plus:

• Roadworks to dual carriageway
• Spring 2004

Phase 4C

Aim is to complete works to the southbound carriageway plus:

• Exit slip construction
• Spring to Summer 2004

Phase 5

Aim is complete remaining works and reinstatement works opening the underpass as dual carriageway:

• Summer 2004

A34 South - Construction Phases

Phase 1A

Aim is to Divert the A339 onto the local Oxford Road altering priorities plus:

• Bulk earthworks
• Bridges 5, 6, 7 and 8
• Summer 2003

Phase 1B

Aim is to open revised slips into the Hilton Hotel plus:

• Bulk earthworks
• New blacktop southern end
• Hilton retaining wall and slips
• Continue bridges
• Summer/Autumn 2003

Phase 2A

Aim is to open the new A339 slips and extended local Oxford Road plus:

• Bulk earthworks
• New roadworks
• Continue bridges
• Re-open revised Bird Lane
• Open Spring 2004

Phase 3

Aim is to re-open revised Hilton sliproads along with northbound traffic:

• Running over Bridges 5 and 6 plus
• Roadworks in front of Services
• Bridges 8 and 9
• Spring/Summer 2004

Phase 4

Aim is to open Bridge 8 to southbound traffic plus:

• Complete works in front of Services
• Open M4 underpass to southbound traffic
• Summer 2004

Phase 5

Aim is to complete remaining works and reinstatement works opening the underpass as dual carriageway:

• Summer 2004

M4 Maintenance & Refurbishment works include:

• Traffic Management
• Initial survey work
• Slip road diversions
• Motorway temporary widening
• Refurbish drainage and central reserve
• New signs
• New westbound and eastbound on and off slips
• Resurface 3km of all six lanes and hard shoulder
• Construction of A34/M4 Crossing
• Re-waterproof and re-surface three bridges

Minimum Impact Philosophy

Two-way, uninterrupted traffic will be maintained on both the M4 and A34, at the following times:

Site working hours (Non M4 Works)

Day	Time
Monday to Friday	0700 to 2000
Saturday	0700 to 1630
Sunday and Bank Holidays	0800 to 1630

M4 Works and Bridge 1 (Underpass)

24 hour working for the duration of the works (night time working is likely to be finished by the end of November, 2003).

All non M4 works include 1/2 hour grading (haul roads & tips) within the permitted times of operation.

• Three lanes maintained on M4 peak hours - reductions outside peak hours
• Two lanes maintained on A34 peak hours
• Earthworks disposal on and adjacent to the new road
• Dedicated traffic manager and roadworks co-ordinator
• Clear signing and information boards
• Advance notification of major activities
• Lane closures kept to a minimum
• During the Newbury Show weekend in addition to removing all traffic management restrictions from the trunk road, the contractor is required to cease all construction traffic on non motorway roads for a period of at least one day before and after the event.
• Construction traffic prohibited to use side roads, except for direct access for essential bridge construction operations
• Limited number of designated access points
• Earthworks disposal on and adjacent to the new road

Traffic Management

To construct the scheme it is necessary to employ significant traffic management schemes. These include:

• M4 hard shoulder closures
• M4 narrow lanes (but retaining three in each direction during peak times)
• M4 off-peak lane closures
• Two 8 hour closures of the M4 for the demolition of Bussocks Wood Bridge and the erection of the replacement bridge
• M4 slip road closures
• M4 speed restrictions (50mph)
• Works in the verge of the M4 and A34
• A34 narrow lanes (two in each direction)
• A34 off-peak lane closures
• A34 speed restrictions (40mph)

The above schemes will be signed in accordance with the current standards and will be publicised using information bulletins issued in many formats, including the media.

We ask you to take extra care during these phases for the sake of your safety and that of our workers and other motorists - Thank you.