Works on the A18 will soon be restarting to install a right turn lane to Utterby on Barton Street as part of the phase three improvements in Lincolnshire County Council’s boundary.
Works started in May but due to drainage issues identified under the junction, progress was delayed while investigative works were carried out.
Following discussions with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), a plan of works to resolve the drainage issues has been agreed and will be funded by LCC.
Works will restart on Monday 3 August to install the right turn lane at the Barton Street and Lincoln Gate junction to Utterby.
To reduce disruption to motorists but ensure the workforce can carry out the works safely, this phase of works will be carried out under temporary traffic signals and will take 13 weeks to complete.
Additionally, works to resolve the drainage issues will require a road closure between the Barton Street and Lincoln Gate junction. This closure will be introduced once works on the right turn lane are at a certain point within the 13-week programme. Details of the closure will be provided two weeks before coming into place.
Phase one signage
Works to install permanent speed limit signs between the A46 junction and the Laceby Manor Golf Club will be carried out from Monday 20 July.
As previously reported, due to COVID-19 and impacts on the supply chain, the signage works were unable to be completed during phase one of the scheme. The road between the A46 junction and Beelsby junction re-opened in May with a temporary 30mph speed limit in place.
Works will now take place from Monday 20 July with temporary traffic signals in place between 9am and 3:30pm, taking one week to complete.
Following completion of the works, the temporary 30mph speed limit will be removed and the 50mph speed limit reinstated.
Phase two completion
Phase two of the A18 road safety improvement scheme is now complete, ahead of the original programme dates.
Works on phase two started on the evening of Monday 15 June on a section of the A18 between Ashby Hill and Waltham Road junctions. During this phase, a section of road known as Waterdell was resurfaced and the drainage system, which was found to be blocked, was jetted and cleaned.
Initially, works were planned to take two weeks to complete. Following innovative discussions between the council, ENGIE and contractor CR Reynolds, all the works were completed within three days and the road re-opened from the morning of Wednesday 17 June.
To reduce the need for further works at this location, a higher grade of tarmac was used during the resurfacing. This has removed the need to install the buff high friction surfacing in the coming weeks, but still provides a similar level of friction for vehicles.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “Alongside our partners ENGIE and CR Reynolds, we are all fully committed to ensuring we can complete these improvements with minimal disruption to businesses and residents.
“We appreciate the disruption closures have on key routes like the A18 and as part of this, we’re all working closely to ensure we can complete works as efficiently as possible, utilising additional workforce where possible and, as we have done during phase two, use materials that allow us to shorten the length of time to complete works.
“Although we would like to avoid any works taking place at the same time as Tollbar roundabout, phase 3 works which are due to begin on 3 August will be taking place within the boundary of Lincolnshire County Council and therefore, should not see an impact on the flow of traffic in North East Lincolnshire.
“The improvements on the A18 are essential to ensure the safety of all road users. I would like to thank you for your continued support while we carry out these improvements.”
North East Lincolnshire Council’s regeneration partner, ENGIE, are managing and overseeing the £2.8m road safety improvements, with contractor, CR Reynolds, carrying out the works.
More information about the £2.8m A18 road safety improvements are available online at www.nelincs.gov.uk/key-projects
Article from NELC.
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