Bachy Soletanche paves the way for new underpass to ease traffic flow
Specialist geotechnical contractors, Bachy Soletanche, has recently started work on a new grade separated interchange on the A41 in West Bromwich for a Balfour Beatty/Birse JV. Worth c.£2.5 million and expected to last 15 weeks, the project consists of heavy duty CFA and Cased CFA Secant Piling.
- The hard/hard and hard/firm secant CFA piles are 600, 750 and 900mm diameter up to 18.5m deep
- They were designed by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s engineer, Scott Wilson Limited, and include reinforced primary (female) piles in the new overbridges wing walls
- Bachy Soletanche’s biggest rig, a BG40, is being used for the Cased CFA secant piles with the remainder being installed by a CM70
- Once complete, the retaining walls will form the new underpass beneath the newly aligned roundabout so as to improve traffic flow on the A41
- The work is being carried out in line with strict Health and Safety regulations and the J.V. are working hard to limit the disruption to the travelling public
Paul Hodgson, Business Development Manager at Bachy Soletanche, said:
“This is our biggest job in the Midlands at the moment and it’s crucial we stick to schedule so as little disruption occurs as possible. Different rigs will be used for the various stages – we’ve just commenced and look forward to seeing the work progressing over the next few weeks.”