Skanska Balfour Beatty, a construction joint venture working on behalf of Connect Plus for the Highways Agency, has become the first design and build contractor to deliver a 10 mile section of all lane running motorway in England.
The improvements are part of a new generation of the technology-driven improvements on the strategic road network known as ‘smart motorways’.
The upgraded section, constructed between junctions 23 and 25 in Hertfordshire (Section 5a), has increased capacity, shortening journey times and reducing congestion, with motorists using the hard shoulder enabled by technology which provides them with driving information and optimum speeds to reduce stop-start congestion.
Aspects of the system such as hard shoulder running and variable speed limits have previously been trialled elsewhere in the country such as on the M42 and M6, but this is the first time all elements have been combined into a fully operational all lane running smart motorway, setting the benchmark for future schemes. This scheme is contributing to making the M25 the most technologically advanced motorway in Europe.
Skanska Balfour Beatty has taken best practice developed during the implementation of our recently completed M25 major improvements schemes and led the industry with extensive implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) from inception, saving millions of pounds on initial project budget projections. The 3D modelling software helped the Skanska Balfour Beatty team to detect design issues with the models able to be sent and downloaded instantly on tablets and laptops, speeding up the Quality Assurance process which was subject to electronic rather than ‘in person’ sign off. QR (Quick Read) codes were used on all drawings so that they could instantly be downloaded for surveyors and site managers to carry out work without taking drawn plans with them.
By embracing these and other improved ways of working SBB has been able to complete this first section of the project ahead of schedule and under budget. Drivers will benefit from the full completion of this major project later this year.
A further section of smart motorway currently under construction on the M25 between junctions 5 and 6/7 on the Kent/Surrey border (Section 2) is due to be fully open in May. Further details will be announced nearer the time.
Sustainability was vital to the project’s successful delivery and all existing structures were retained, reducing the need for materials and vehicles movements to transport equipment and supplies with the same applying to excavated materials. Over 90% of materials including fill material have come from recycled or reclaimed sources.
Community engagement was also vital to the successful delivery of this first section with numerous presentations delivered at parish council and residents meetings detailing the works and environmental activities. In addition the project team continued their award winning schools engagement programme, visiting several schools in the area including Pope Paul Catholic Primary School in Potters Bar, St Giles Church of England Primary School on South Mimms, and Presdale Secondary School in Ware.
Kieran McGibbon, Skanska Balfour Beatty Engineering Director, said: “The key to this project’s success has been safely reducing timescales on everything from preliminary stages through to design and build. I’m very proud that we have delivered a project which has set new standards in our industry in terms of accelerated delivery across all project disciplines, sustainability and the implementation of digital design.”
Tim Jones, Chief Executive Officer for Connect Plus, said: “I am delighted that we have achieved another major milestone on our journey to transform the M25, on behalf of the Highways Agency, into a high capacity world-class motorway with exemplary levels of safety and reliability. Connect Plus has implemented a range of new and innovative technology and new operating procedures to this section of the strategic road network. We now look forward to operating it in a safe and effective manner and to completing the Northern Section later this year”.
John Martin, Highways Agency Senior Project Manager said: “The improvements being delivered on the M25 are part of a £1.7 billion package of investment into roads in the South East by 2021 with 145 new lane miles of capacity helping to boost the economy and underpin jobs in the region.
"Today we opened the first section of the new type of smart motorway on the M25 between junctions 23 and 25 ahead of the planned full completion of the M25 junctions 23 to 27 project in December 2014. The southern section is also completing significantly earlier than planned due to rescheduling of the programme, bringing benefits to drivers and the wider economy sooner.”
