Disruption ahead for motorists as flyover repaired
MOTORISTS face the prospect of an unhappy New Year after contractors announced they will be carrying out repair work on the Marsh Mills flyover.
After stating earlier this year the essential work on the A38 flyover would be completed by the end of November, the Highways Agency now says the first phase will begin next Monday and continue for five weeks.
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The Agency said during this time overnight closures would be required.
The second phase has been scheduled for January, allowing a Christmas hiatus for drivers.
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The four joints on the flyover allow the structure to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature. The Agency says surveys on the Marsh Mills flyover have shown that all four joints need to be repaired in the near future.
The first phase of work will be to install 'crossover points' at either end of the flyover. These will allow traffic to travel in contraflow over the viaduct while work is taking place during future phases of the scheme.
Alexis Field, Highways Agency project sponsor, said: "We are planning the repairs of the joints very carefully and with consideration to road users on the A38 and other local roads in the area.
"The first phase of the work will be completed by early December and the second phase, where the first expansion joint will be repaired, has been scheduled for January to ensure no work takes place over the Christmas period.
"We are also working with Plymouth City Council to ensure our works do not impact on local authority work at Laira Bridge."
The crossovers will be installed overnight under a series of carriageway closures between 8pm until 6am the following morning.
During these closures the following diversions will be in place:
For westbound carriageway closure: take the Marsh Mills junction exit slip road, Marsh Mills roundabout and then travel westwards on the link road to Forder Valley junction. Take the Forder Valley junction westbound entry slip road and re-join the westbound carriageway.
For eastbound carriageway closure: take the Marsh Mills junction exit slip road, then go via the link road and Marsh Mills roundabout to Marsh Mills junction eastbound entry slip road and re-join the eastbound carriageway.
The second phase of the works will start in January and will require daytime carriageway closures.
The Agency has said details on these closures would be released "as soon as they are available."
Motorists could face a series of disruptions on the A38 Marsh Mills flyover during 2013 and into 2014 as the Agency said the three other joints would also need to be replaced, although the work was "subject to funding" during the next financial year.
Comments
by jabbathebutt
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 7:31PM
“I hate people who bleat like sheep "oh well , its got to be done ", and then whinge that something that should take two weeks takes three months of massive disruption. Havent you idiots realised it yet while sitting in your traffic jams that the council dont give a flying duck about you ?
See New York the last day or two ? This time next week the whole city will be up and running as normal . Do you think they will have 3 manual labourers and 20 managers overseeing the vital work ? Comprende ?
Ah ... but its got to be done ....”
by raglanron1
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 6:31PM
“Well its got to be done. I congratulate the bloggers who in the main accept the situation, and come up with alternatives to avoid the clogging!”
by rubydogsouth
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 6:00PM
“Let's hope they clean up all the rubbish around the slip roads while there there”
by PLYMFOX01
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 1:45PM
“I totally agree with Toni 1989, people will moan regardless. The work needs doing and the road will be closed when traffic is at its lowest so what is the problem? The way the Herald writes the story doesnt help either, bringing across an image of doom and gloom.
I have got a great idea, lets not repair the flyover at all, in fact lets not maintain it. Eventually it will fall into disrepair and will have to be demolished. Oh I forgot they will moan about that too. Some people are pathetic.”
by Toni1989
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 11:42AM
“Another thing i dont get why people are moaning about... the roads are a mess, they need repairing - you moan about that. The roads get repaired which means roadworks and traffic - you moan about that... is there any winning with some people?! No, no there is not”
by olddogbreath
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 10:04AM
“'ere Bert, we got that contract, nip down there and see where we can get some pies, From memories, there's a Maccie's and Sainsbury, so plenty of places to take the van and have warming up.'
'Yes Sid, I love work over Christmas time, too dark to do a lot and eat plenty though'”
by imalady
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 9:20AM
“Oh Deep Joy, Tell you what why dont they do essential work on Tamar bridge, On Ferry, On Roborough Down & along with Cattedown Bridge we can be completely cut off from the world!!!”
by nothalf
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 9:09AM
“project sponser alexi sayle”
by lweston
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 9:00AM
“10thattempt ;-
just go a different way, go earlier,leave later, and if its raining dont go at all”
by 10thattempt
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 8:54AM
“The project "sponsor"(!) sais "We are also working with Plymouth City Council to ensure our works do not impact on local authority work at Laira Bridge."
However they are starting on the same night about 40,000 people are going to come to watch the fireworks on The Hoe.”