A39 Causeway maintenance scheme

A major Somerset route, the A39 Causeway’s 10-day highway maintenance during the busy autumn half term period required careful traffic rerouting and control measures.

Critical strengthening and resurfacing works were planned for the road link used by 24,000 vehicles a day, after 78 pothole repair visits in two years.

The scheme presented two main challenges:

• Designing an engineering solution to minimise closure time for the site, and mitigate for further challenges common to working with a medieval causeway and, alongside a cast iron water main.
• Informing the public and attracting community support

Following a long period of stakeholder engagement, CH Contracting started the design of the closure in June 2016, attending weekly meetings with the client, Somerset County Council and scheme designers.

We installed our Variable Message Signs (VMS) in five locations surrounding the A39, to keep the public up to date with works. Several weeks before road closures, letters were delivered to residents in the affected community, to advise on highway maintenance timings and implications.

A 24-hour road closure was required to ensure the safety of workforce and public. Parking restrictions also had to be enforced along the diversion route and we were instructed to install signs and deliver parking restriction letters to residents affected.

Once work began, a live blog and @TravelSomerset were used to provide continual updates, using photos and video to keep the public informed of progress and any difficulties encountered.

Following an efficient and successful project, this £285,000 highway improvement scheme was completed one day ahead of programme – with the VMS system updated on the day, to inform road users that the A39 stretch between Street and Glastonbury was again open.

The design of this traffic management scheme has been shortlisted for a CIHT SW Award.