Carnell Deliver HA Ramp Metering Project

Carnell have successfully completed their first project as principal contractor to the Highway's Agency.

The contract encompassed 5 entry slip roads on the A19 and A66 in Middlesbrough, with Carnell responsible for installing the full ramp metering system including both the infrastructure and signalling works.

Ramp metering is a proven method of using traffic signals to regulate the flow of local traffic from the slip road on to the main carriageway, at a level that maximises throughput on the highway.  Sensors in the road detect congestion and activate the lights, which release just a few vehicles at a time allowing traffic to merge in a more controlled manner, reducing the bottleneck effect.

Despite losing almost two weeks to December's severe weather, the infrastructure works were completed as planned in February and have now been commissioned.  To minimise disruption to the road user for the 13 week duration, Carnell undertook the construction element either at night or at off-peak hours during the day.

Carnell's Operations Director Liz Bell commented:  "Despite previously completing numerous Ramp Metering schemes on behalf of the TechMACs, the tight timescales and heavy snowfall meant the A19 contract has been a challenging project to deliver.  However, innovative working practices, excellent working relationships and a huge effort from our site teams have made our first scheme direct to the HA a great success."

In addition, the sites were registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.  The visiting Monitor observed that all activities conformed to the Scheme's Code of Considerate Practice and the project was ‘professionally managed'.