M54 repairs completed and two weekend closures avoided

National Highways has successfully completed essential concrete repairs on a stretch of the M54 – and avoided the need for two full weekend closures.

Eight full weekend closures were initially planned, including over the Easter bank holiday weekend, to carry out the vital works between junctions 2 (Coven Heath) and 4 (East Telford) of the motorway.

But contractors have made swift progress and managed to complete the scheme using only six weekend closures and without impacting on the holiday weekend.

Concrete roads make up around 400 miles (4%) of England’s motorway and major A roads network.

They were built largely in the 1960s and 1970s and the concrete slabs with which they were made have proved tougher than asphalt but after decades of use and hundreds of millions of journeys, they are nearing the end of their working lives.

National Highways is carrying out specialist repairs to maximise the life of the carriageways.

National Highways Project Manager Dan Bothwick said:

“We always try to minimise disruption wherever possible and only close the road if we really have to, for the safety of both our workforce and road users.

“So we are delighted that we have been able to reduce the number of weekend closures, and the impact on road users, and that we could finish off some works overnight when we know roads are quieter.

“In fact, we actually carried out more repairs than anticipated as we discovered additional areas of the carriageway that needed attention once the scheme got under way. Drivers can now enjoy smoother, and safer, journeys along the M54.”

Highways Manager Adrian Pike from contractor Concrete Repairs Limited, which headed up the project, said:

“CRL were involved in the scheme several months before the works began and carried out detailed Early Contractor involvement (ECI). This really helped with the planning, sequencing and methodology particularly regarding the traffic management and phasing/resourcing of each activity.

“We employed a public liaison officer who helped to ensure that whilst disruption was inevitable over the weekends, information about the works and diversion routes was given at an early stage.

“The team worked really well and it is a credit to all those involved that the scheme completed ahead of schedule minimising the impact to the travelling public, local businesses and other stakeholders.”

The repairs began at the end of February and closures were needed to protect safety but also ensure the concrete had time to set to the required strength.

As well as repairing the concrete surface, road markings and studs were replaced.

The work was carried in phases along the stretch of motorway and closures only in one direction at a time.