How do you build a road Episode 8 The Big Bridge and a lot of soft rock

For our next episode, Peter Haddock is joined again by Mark Sabbato Construction Manager for Kier Transportation on the National Highways A417 Missing Link road project. 

With over a million cubic metres of material moved and a BIG bridge taking shape, the site is busy. 

The 37m long bridge in question is the largest and most impressive structure on the project, called the Gloucestershire Way Crossing, designed for people and wildlife. 

Mark: “There is a huge amount of engineering involved in this part of the project, and we are just excavating the main section to reveal the continuous pilled wall. 

“This will show the full scale of the road, and so far, we have now excavated over a million cubic metres of material, moved by our earthworks contractor, Walters.

“And it’s been a delicate operation as we reduce the road gradient from 10% to 8%. The rock is very soft and easy to overbreak, so the team is carefully stepping it down, brushing each layer as they go.” 

“We continue to deliver the project working to a 3D digital model. This gives us a clear vision of the final result and helps us stay on track to meet our programme.” 

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