Keltbray has secured a £14.1m package to deliver 14 bridge structures on the delayed A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross Scheme for the Costain /Jacobs partnership on behalf of Highways England.
The scheme involves the construction of a new 8.7-mile dual carriageway alongside the existing A30 between Chiverton Cross and Carland Cross, and 14 new bridges in a variety of structural forms.
The engineering and construction firm said it will support the partnership in developing and delivering ‘engineering-led structural bridge solutions, maximising the use of modularisation and modern methods of construction to identify and construct standard bridge elements to assure greater buildability and quality within the overall schedule’.
A computer generated image showing the Chybucca 'partial juntion'
Tim Bowen, managing director - strategic development and programme leader for the A30 contract, said: ‘Keltbray’s highly collaborative approach to design and delivery will be instrumental in upgrading one of the UK’s most congested road networks. The application of digital engineering, modular construction and modern self-delivery methods will bring greater control to this complex scheme.’
CEO Darren James said: ‘This project marks an important milestone in the delivery of our strategy to redefine the way sustainable development is delivered, where we foresee strong demand for Keltbray’s integrated capabilities in adjacent infrastructure sectors like highways.’
Keltbray said it has long-standing relationships with the supply chain, and that its approach combines the capabilities of these partners in key areas like pre-fabrication and off site manufacture. It also has its own specialist in-house delivery capabilities ‘to bring real world innovations to the construction process to drive greater outcome certainty’.
The company added that it will ensure that its overall methodology for delivering the structures aligns and co-ordinates with the other work package elements – design, earthworks, road construction, drainage, parapets, and utility services – to deliver a seamless highways solution, while minimising disruption to road users during the construction phase.
A computer generated image showing the juntion at Carland Cross
In February 2020, following the granting of planning consent, Highways England said that main construction works were scheduled to start later that year. However, main construction works are now scheduled to start this month and are due to run until mid-2023.
The scheme includes:
- a 70mph 'high-quality' dual carriageway
- a two-level junction at Chiverton Cross and a new roundabout to ensure the free flow of traffic on the A30
- a new 'partial junction' at Chybucca built on two levels with west-facing slip roads to provide access onto the dual carriageway from local routes
- new bridges at Tolgroggan Farm, Pennycomequick Lane and over the Allet to Tresawsen road to provide local access
- a two-level junction at Carland Cross with a new roundabout north of the dual carriageway and re-using the existing roundabout to the south
- keeping the existing A30 as a local route with new sections where necessary to provide continuity and connectivity for local communities
The existing A30 will remain open while the scheme is built alongside it.
