Traditionally wind farm tracks and crane platforms are constructed using geosynthetics and imported aggregates to achieve the required axle loads and bearing capacities. After analysis of the soil type at Winwick, we were able to propose a design using lime and cement to reinforce a depth of 600mm of soil, capped with a layer of recycled road planings.

Soils were stripped and stockpiled to a depth of 400mm below finished level. Our specialist rotovation plant was then used to apply an initial dose of lime to condition the soil prior to the addition of cement. The matrix was then compacted before placing excavated subsoil to form the second layer and repeating the process. The stabilised soil was expected to take 7 days to cure however we found we were able to achieve passing plate load tests within 2 days.

By taking this approach, we were able to reduce the quantity of aggregate imported to the site by over 22,000t, resulting in 2,200 less HGV movements. During the wind turbine delivery and erection phase of the works, no problems were encountered with the pavement structure, with only minor maintenance required to the granular surface on completion.

For further info on this, please click here Winwick Wind Farm (soil stabilisation).

The Scheme passed through the busy holiday resort of Porthmadog and required extensive planning and the provision of traffic management to ensure minimum disruption to the community.

The route included 7.3m wide single carriageways, 1.0m hard shoulders and 2.5m grass verges, three roundabouts and junctions and eight bridges, including a landmark three-span viaduct over the environmentally sensitive Glaslyn Estuary.

Works included the placing of rock armour and geotextiles within the tidal estuary of the Afon Glaslyn, forming a temporary working platform within the river to assist with bridge construction.

The project was also delivered seven weeks early and below budget.

Major activities included:

• 425,000m³ of earthworks
• Installation of 14.2km of drainage systems
• Surfacing work over 74,000m²
• 18 km of statutory undertakers diversions
• Construction of eight bridges and 22 culverts
• Environmental mitigation work worth £1m

For further info on this, please click here A487 Porthmadog bypass.

• Construction of 1,750m of a 7.3m wide carriageway
• Construction of four new roundabouts and modification of existing A55 slipway roundabout
• Street lighting, footpaths, fencing and random stone walling
• Highway and surface water drainage, including drainage swales and gravity foul sewers
• New reinforced earth and in situ concrete underpass, designed and constructed by Jones Bros
• Landscaping
• Service diversions

All work was carried out under strict archaeological constraints due to the proximity of ancient national monuments.

For further info on this, please click here Parc Cybi Industrial Estate.

The scheme increased the lane widths to current standards, and included the creation of a hardened central reservation, improved drainage and additional communication ducting.

The whole carriageway construction was replaced and finished with thin-coat SMA surfacing course to reduce road noise and improve surface drainage.

Extensive “soft-spots” were found under the existing carriageway, which extended the contract into the period of heavy summer traffic, but careful traffic management allowed two lanes to stay open on both the eastbound and westbound carriageway – preventing serious traffic congestion.

For further info on this, please click here A55 Llanddulas.

Cutting the north face back to a calculated stable angle, with some re-anchoring to the south face, was proposed.

The blasting work was carried out successfully, with 225,000 tonnes of rock and soil being removed from site.

The rock was utilised as recycled aggregate, while the soil helped restore part of the nearby Moel Y Faen quarry.

Once the rock had been removed, the existing carriageway was reconstructed.

It was reopened to the public on schedule.

For further info on this, please click here A5 Ty Nant.

In total, 350,000 cubic metres of soil and rock were stripped and re-deposited on site in order to create the new profile for the 3.6km long, 12m-wide circuit.  All materials excavated during construction remained on site. The establishment of an on-site quarry or ‘borrow pit’ reduced the cost of the project – and minimised disruption to the local area – by keeping an estimated 3,500 return truck journeys off the roads.

The construction of the track consisted of a:

• 200mm capping layer
• 100mm of type 1 sub-base
• 150mm lower road base
• 50mm binder
• 30mm surface courses

The lower road base was produced on-site using a specialist foaming plant which cold- mixed raw aggregate, pulverised fuel ash, cement and foamed bitumen.

For further info on this, please click here Anglesey Racing Circuit.