Work starts on safety barriers on M4
2:21pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News
Work to upgrade a further section of the safety barrier on the M4 between junctions 14 and 15 in Berkshire gets under way on Monday.
A 1.5-mile section of motorway where it passes near Woodlands St Mary will see metal barriers in the central reservation removed and replaced with a new concrete barrier.
The work follows a similar upgrade on thee other sections of the M4 nearby - a 3 mile section of road near Membury services in 2009, a 1.5 mile section at junction 14 in 2010 and another 2.5 mile section, which was completed this week at Baydon.
Phil Hardy-Bishop, Highways Agency project sponsor, said: "Concrete barriers are extremely strong, and significantly reduce the risk of vehicles crossing over onto the opposite carriageway in the event of a collision, providing safety benefits and helping us to keep traffic moving.
"They are also virtually maintenance free and will last twice as long as normal metal barriers.
"We are upgrading this section now as the existing barrier is reaching the end of its maintainable life.
"I would like to thank drivers for their patience while we have been working nearby, and remind them to continue to drive with extra care through roadworks as we move on to this new section."
As well as the new concrete barrier in the central reservation, steel safety barriers on the verge will be renewed, drainage in the area will be improved, and the bridge supports at Poughley Lane Bridge over the motorway will be given extra protection.
Work will start on Monday using temporary overnight lane restrictions, occasional overnight slip road closures, for which fully signed diversion routes will be in place, and some closures on the hard shoulder during the day.
Main work will start on Monday, February 20, using narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit, enforced by average speed cameras.
There will be additional lane restrictions during off peak hours, and a free recovery service will be available 24 hours a day.
All three lanes in each direction will remain open to traffic at all peak times.
Work is expected to be complete early in April.
