The final phase of the work on Akers Way is still on track for completion by the end of October. The extra work that we had to carry out on the unexpected defects in the concrete road base is going very well.
All damaged areas of concrete have been excavated and new concrete was put down ready for the ‘binder’ or base course of tarmac which was completed last weekend (Saturday, 7 – Sunday, 8 October 2017). The new kerblines are now in and final preparations to the footway and car park areas have been completed. Weather permitting, the last layer of tarmac surfacing should start on Monday, 16 October 2017.
Akers Way is a strategic part of Swindon’s road network. Over the years minor maintenance works have been carried out to maintain this route as most practicable however, we can no longer sustain this type of maintenance regime for Akers Way.
The tiring road will undergo reconstruction beyond the surface layers to give the pavement a new lease of life.
The work is being undertaken by Rockstone Surfacing Ltd. Phase one of the works commenced on Monday,10 April and was scheduled to take up to 6 weeks. Highway engineers have since discovered additional, deeper areas of repair where the lower concrete slabs have deteriorated beyond expectations, despite thorough ground investigations and detailed design prior to works commencing.
The entire Akers Way project is due to be completed by the end of September.
The Nova Hreod school junction section is still due for completion over the summer holidays.
While undertaking the improvement work, the project focuses on improving the following issues:
- Condition of carriageway surface and structure
- Road safety
- Parking
- Drainage
- Local environment and quality of life