Major Wiltshire-Bath route reopens TODAY - a month early
The A36 at Limpley Stoke had been closed since last August
A major route from Wiltshire towards Bath re-opens today (Saturday 1st March) after repair works were completed a month ahead of schedule.
The A36 at Limpley Stoke had been closed since last August to to stabilise the southbound embankment following cracking in the footpath alongside the carriageway.
It will re-open with two-traffic lights in place in order to allow National Highways to keep working on other repairs while allowing traffic to access to the road, supporting communities impacted most by the closure.
Hugh Campbell, Senior Project Manager for National Highways, said:
“The stabilisation of the A36 has been a huge success and we’re delighted to be able to reopen the road ahead of schedule under two-way traffic lights.
“The pace of work is a testament to the hard work of the team and all the contractors working on the stabilisation.
“I would like to thank everyone involved, including road users, residents and businesses for their patience whilst we carried out this safety critical work to ensure the long-term viability of the road.”
Since the A36 has been closed to traffic, National Highways has:
• installed 208 concrete piles and despite challenging ground conditions we have completed the piling ahead of schedule
• installed rock mesh installation in the uphill embankment
• installed new drainage in the road which will provide future resilience
• repaired work to the masonry on the viaduct
• repaired drainage north of Brassknocker Hill
• carried out survey work on the viaduct
• cleared vegetation
While the road is reopening the road to traffic sooner than previously planned, doing so under traffic management will restrict the work site and extend the work programme into May though.
Work still to be completed includes:
• installing the concrete capping beam that sits on top of the piles and will provide the foundation for a new vehicle barrier
• installing a new vehicle barrier and fencing
• reinstating the pavement
Once complete, these improvements will benefit road users and the local community for many years to come.