As part of the PPP project, DBFO1, GRAHAM Structural Repairs, working hand-in-hand with GRAHAM Highway Management Maintenance, recently completed waterproofing works to the M1 Sprucefield Bridge 5 weeks ahead of the 13-week programme.
Sprucefield is a major interchange on the M1 as it is the junction where traffic to and from the south leaves and joins the motorway – in fact almost half the country bound M1 traffic leaves the M1 at Sprucefield, bound for the south. It was the unique nature of traffic flows at this junction that prompted HMM to consider an alternative and radical traffic management scheme for the repairs to the southern deck of the bridge, which involved closing one lane of the M1 over the bridge. Through the use of detailed traffic flow analysis and with the support of Roads Service, this alternative traffic management arrangement was put in place, which resulted in a significant time saving, obviated the need for a complicated contra flow and freed all restrictions on Belfast-bound traffic.
Sprucefield is a good example of how partnership can work in practice for the benefit of all concerned, most notably the travelling public, who experienced 5 weeks fewer ‘cones on the road’ than they might have expected.
Pictured above: Part of the newly refurbished Sprucefield Bridge.