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CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT

A14 Park & Ride Signs

Signage scheme providing advance direction to the Ipswich transport hubs.

Keeping Road Users Informed

Ipswich Park & Ride has two sites, one to the East adjacent to the A12 Martlesham and one to the West near to A14 J55. As part of the construction works framework contract in the East region, we were chosen by National Highways to deliver the signage scheme to provide information to road customers.

Signs were installed at several locations along both the A14 and the A12 highway verges around Ipswich, across 29km of the strategic road network. In total, 26 individual new signs were installed which were a variety of different types.

The improved signage helps to provide a better end-to-end solution for road users as they travel seamlessly across the strategic road network, using varying modes of transport and linking to local networks. This both reduces congestion and improves air quality in the town.

ECI & Buildability

To aid our planning we engaged in Early Contractor Engagement works at the proposed sign locations, conducting topographical and GPR surveys (in relation to underground services) on the gradient of the batters and foundation locations. The findings from the survey were then submitted to the Principal Designer along with our design recommendations.

Several risks derived from the ECI were mitigated through design changes. The initial design stipulated the total concrete volume required for all foundations was 748m³. Value engineering opportunities allowed the PD to reduce that volume to 59m³, reducing the overall cost, carbon footprint and draft programme duration. We managed the underground and overhead services effectively through the surveys, temporary works and detailed lift plans. In addition, we developed solutions to maintain productivity despite roadspace challenges and design changes.

Site Team

Our dedicated site team comprised of a supervisor, a lift supervisor and our self-delivery operatives. We were supported by our specialist sub-contractor W&H Group, a local Small Medium Enterprise who carried out the concrete pour and waste removal. Vision surveys, another SME carried out the site inspections, and we also managed and provided the traffic management elements. CWF provider ATM undertook the site clearance.

The solution

The 26 signs consisted of single foundations and posts made up of a variety of different types (Lattix, steel 219 and Jerol), lengths and diameters. These came with individual mounting depending on post type and sign size, with some plates mounted 5m high and measuring 6m in width. 

The scheme involved the removal of some advanced direction signs and breaking of the foundations. We used our Inspection Test Plans to ensure the quality was right first time.

Benefits

Safety
  • Zero AFR and Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate also zero.
  • Effective methods of working around known services ensured zero service strikes while excavating 44 post foundations.
  • When underground services were encountered in the post excavations, we reacted safely by adopting a CAT0 temporary works arrangement at each location.
Customer
  • By enabling a safe methodology of working in lane closures for the excavation and installation of sign foundations, we reduced the need for 4 weeks of full closures.
  • The smaller foundations took less time to build, a programme efficiency saving of 4 weeks.
Delivery
  • By using lane closures where appropriate, rather than full closures for the duration of the works, this saved £50k in TM costs.
  • Our 92% reduction in concrete needed for foundations enabled a cost efficiency of £100k.
  • The reduced concrete from the original design saved 63,518kg CO2e.
  • The project outturn cost was 5% below the target price.