Description of works
RJT Excavations conducted the primary earthworks for the Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR). The development will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 and the Carlisle Northern Development Route (CNDR) from the A595 to Junction 44 of the M6.
The CSLR is 5-mile-long, 60 mph road with 4 new roundabouts, 4 cycle bridges, 4 road bridges and a cycle path along its full length. Two of the bridges will cross Network Rail lines (West Coast Main Line and Cumbrian Coast Line), with one of these bridges also crossing the River Caldew.
Scope of work
- Site preparation, including erecting Heras fence panels to secure the site and to display relevant health and safety signage
- Creation of various site access roads and site compound areas, including car parking area
- Installation of surface water management measures to comply with the site-specific PPP
- On-site topsoil strip and stockpile: 325,000 m3
- Formation of eight number permanent sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)
- Bulk excavation cut-and-fill to design line and level and in line with project specification: 1,000,000 m3
- External haulage of materials from cut areas to fill areas using road haulage: 100,000 m3
- Deposition of excess materials to designated stockpile areas on-site
- Lime stabilisation works of structural and general fill material: 16,000 m3
- Lime stabilised capping layer: 30,000 m3
- Installation of various temporary works designs (working platforms for bridge abutments, crane platforms, culverts, etc.): 25,000 t imported granular material, geogrids, etc.
- Importing of aggregates and spreading on-site: 250,000 t
- Preparation and formation of access roads: 2,500 m
- Services and utilities
- Ground conditions and suitability of site-won materials for use as upfill
- Weather conditions, including phased working to avoid winter weather windows
- Environmental constraints – surface water management
- Ecological constraints – badger setts, ancient woodlands and sensitive and contaminated land
- Several follow-on contractors and trades with tight programme timescales
- Traffic management routes on public roads through neighbouring towns and villages
- Working to programmed timescales and achieving key dates by a collaborative approach to works – collaborative working workshops and planning and progress meetings
- Positive relationships with main contractor, client and locals through community liaison meetings and project progress presentations
- Streamlining of haulage lengths and material movements from ongoing earthworks sequencing and strategy reviews
- Successful delivery of surface water management to the satisfaction of the Environmental Agency
- Forward planning and identification of potential risks to the project and programme timescales