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Construction firm GRAHAM has made significant changes to benefit motorists and other road users on the M2 junction 5 improvements scheme in Stockbury, Kent.
The civil engineering specialist scooped the £92 million contract in June 2021. The deal was awarded by National Highways.
The project team switched the A249 southbound traffic onto a new stretch of road on the south side of the roundabout, that runs adjacent to the existing carriageway. The newly established section now serves as a temporary route for southbound traffic. When complete, it will transform into the Oad Street Link Road, providing a direct connection between Oad Street and the Stockbury roundabout.
To facilitate the construction of the Stockbury South bridge structure, the northbound traffic on the A249 has been redirected onto the current southbound carriageway. As soon as the bridge is fully constructed, it will serve as a flyover, enabling uninterrupted traffic flow over the Stockbury roundabout. This improvement will significantly reduce delays and enhance overall safety for road users.
Last month, GRAHAM opened the new Maidstone Link Road, a new carriageway connecting Maidstone Road to Oad Street.
Additionally, the project team has opened the new southbound diverge (slip road) for southbound traffic. The initial section of the slip road features continuously reinforced concrete paving (CRCP) to merge with the existing carriageway. The surfacing of the section has also been recently completed. As soon as all the construction is finished, the southbound diverge will have a dedicated slip road leading to the M2 in the westbound direction.
By diverting traffic to the southbound diverge, we can now proceed with the construction of the northern Stockbury flyover. The first phase involves installing 900mm diameter CFA (Continuous flight auger) piles.
With the traffic successfully switched, the project team is currently demolishing the CRCP slab beneath the existing A249 carriageway using excavators with hydraulic breakers.
