Highways Agency

Construction Progress at A30 Merrymeet: July 2006

Construction on the A30 Merrymeet Junction started at the end of November 2005, and following initial site clearance, perimeter fencing was erected and the drainage ditches installed. On the north side of the junction, diversion of an existing water main was a major operation, and required the temporary short term closure of the C50.

The earthworks started in mid February on the eastbound carriageway side, and then continued with the access loops on both sides of the junction. Most of the material excavated on site has been placed in the Narraway Farm Improvement area, which is located on the south side of the site to the west of the roundabout. Approximately 60,000 cubic metres of material has been placed here, and the remaining 20,000 cubic metres is being used to form the embankments on the north and south approach roads to the bridge.

 
                                                              
This not only improves a low lying boggy field, but also means that as we can access the field direct from the site, we have not had to haul thousands of tonnes of material through local lanes by lorry.

Construction of the central columns and abutments for the new bridge took place in March, whilst traffic was routed through a contraflow. This contraflow also allowed the construction of the newly aligned eastbound carriageway, but was removed in time for the Easter holiday traffic when we restored two lanes in each direction. 

 
                              
The bridge beams were placed overnight on the eastbound carriageway on 3rd May, and the westbound on the 17th May. The 24 tonne beams were lifted into position by a 200 tonne crane positioned in the existing carriageway, with contraflows set up to control the traffic.  Since then the bridge deck has been poured and the parapet rails installed.

 
                                                           
Construction of the loop roads is now well under way, and during the summer holiday period we are keeping work on the A30 itself to a minimum in order to avoid disruption to traffic. Further works on the local road network and services will take us through to September, when the construction of the westbound slip roads, and subsequent removal of the existing roundabout will lead towards completion of the scheme well ahead of schedule.

Recycling

As part of the construction of this scheme the majority of the existing boundary fencing had to be removed.  This post and rail fencing has been donated to North Tawton School to fence their football pitch.  Other parts of the fencing have also been given to a local riding stable and local charity.