A34 Sprint Priority Bus Route Packages B&C

Fitzgerald were awarded two significant highway upgrade schemes in Birmingham by securing the A34 Walsall to Birmingham Sprint route scheme which will facilitate the infrastructure for a new low-emission bus-based transit system.

The A34 Sprint scheme was undertaken on behalf of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). The contract award consisted of Package B from Scott Arms to Tame Valley Canal and Package C between Tame Valley Canal and Perry Barr, together totalling £5.0m.

Construction along the 4km route took place in a live environment with the nature of works in each package being generally similar. Our scope of works consisted of localised carriageway widening and reconstruction, traffic signal upgrades at key junctions and the implementation of bus lane enforcement measures.

Each contract involved associated civils works, surfacing, lining, signing and street lighting provision, as well as the construction of new bus stop locations including shelter foundations, associated paving and landscaping works.

The A34 Sprint Route is an integral connection to Birmingham and Walsall, serving residents and businesses in Aston, Perry Barr, and Great Barr.  An important and extremely public facing element of the scheme was the need for the route to be complete in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and this was successfully accomplished.