M6 JUNCTION 2 HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
Early January saw Fitzgerald successfully deliver a series of improvements on the M6 Junction 2 gyratory for the developer Manse Opus as part of a planning requirement for the nearby Ansty Park development. Undertaken in live traffic conditions and on the Strategic Road Network (SRN), scheme delivery was supervised by National Highways under a S278 agreement and also required coordination with Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council.
The design and build project involved the installation of new traffic signals, a maintenance layby and 2000m2 of surfacing works, all completed within a constrained and time-critical 6-week programme. All works were carried out at night to minimise time on the network and disruption to traffic. Although the contract had already received Technical Approval by National Highways, we worked closely with them on all aspects of the scheme to enable timely completion. Key project successes included:
Timely traffic signal designs and testing: We worked collaboratively with National Highways and Yunex, our specialist subcontractor, to finalise the traffic signal design, including efficient delivery of Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing. At the request of National Highways, these testing procedures incorporated additional checks and assessments within the programme to fully consider revised traffic queueing data.
Accommodating interfacing schemes: Working with National Highways, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council, we adapted traffic management arrangements to allow other nearby works to happen at the same time without compromising delivery of the time-critical Junction 2 scheme. This was achieved through daily engagement with National Highways’ representatives and regular, proactive meetings on delivery, technical and design matters.
Effective traffic management: Effective planning, programming and logistics management saw nightly traffic management arrangements successfully turned on and off at the correct times, minimising the impacts of the works on users of the SRN and Local Road Network.
“The specialist technical expertise of Fitzgerald, both pre-and-post contract, and their proactive approach to the management and delivery of the works, was key to the success of the scheme. The quality of their performance means we wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the future.” Tom Halcarz, Head of Construction, Opus Land Ltd.