Surfacing Improvements on A96 Near Keith to use Eco-Friendly Recycling Technique
UPDATE (30/04): A road closure on the A96 north of Keith has been extended until 7.30pm on Friday 3rd May after unforeseen and unique challenges delayed the resurfacing scheme.
The project is addressing defects on more than 650 metres of the A96 to the north of Keith between Mulben Junction and Newton of Forgie.
The original works schedule required extension after a significant problem was identified within the lower layers of the road during construction that caused the new layers above to deteriorate under vehicle loading, resulting in undulating sections that required replacement.
Unfortunately, torrential downpours during the past week exacerbated these problems and made it extremely difficult to correct the issue, as the ground underneath and subsequent replacement road layers have been moving due to heavy saturation.
In addition, it has been discovered that water has also been leaking into the sub-grade and sub-base layers from an uncharted spring adjacent to the carriageway.
As a consequence of the above, additional work is now being undertaken to remove the saturated sub-base layer, install a 300mm deep rock capping layer and install additional drainage to prevent further issues and to strengthen the sub-grade.
This rock capping layer will help to protect the sub-grade from further rainfall and weathering as well as providing stiffer resistance to the loads from the surfaces above.
The sub-base layer will then be replaced and overlayed with asphalt layers to return the pavement back to the required road level.
This work will be carried out under a full road closure until 7.30pm on Friday 3rd May, with the road scheduled to reopen under speed restrictions over the bank holiday weekend.
Further work will then take place from Tuesday 7th May to Thursday 9th May under overnight closures between 7.30pm and 6.30am in order to complete the scheme.
All traffic management is scheduled to be removed by 6.30am on Friday 10th May.
The previous diversion will remain in place during the closures.
Northbound traffic will turn right onto the B9016 north of Keith and travel past the crematorium to turn left onto the A98. Traffic will then continue on the A98 to rejoin the A96 at Fochabers. Southbound traffic will take the route in reverse.
Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.
ROAD CLOSURE:
Please be aware that this section of the A96 is likely to remain CLOSED between Mulben Junction and Newton of Forgie until 6.30am on WEDNESDAY 1ST MAY to allow for the works to be completed.
This is subject to weather conditions being suitable to allow us to progress work on site. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
The original works duration had to be extended after a problem was identified with a section of the sub base layer that caused the layer above to deteriorate under vehicle loading, resulting in an uneven surface on the carriageway.
Further testing and investigation revealed deterioration was occurring widely across this section, meaning additional work was required to restore the integrity of the carriageway.
Unfortunately, the severe wet weather conditions over the past weekend have exacerbated the problems and we are unable to start building up the road layers until the issue is rectified.
Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.
Scheme Extension
Please be aware that, due to operational issues, further dates are required in order to complete the scheme.
To ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists, there will be a full weekend closure of the A96 between 7.30pm on Friday 26th April and 6.30am on Monday 29th April.
There will then be five further overnight closures each night from Monday 29th April to Friday 3rd May, between 7.30pm and 6.30am.
Traffic management is scheduled to be removed by 6.30am on Saturday 4th May.
The previous diversion will remain in place during the closures.
Amey is delivering surfacing improvements on the A96 near Keith by using an innovative eco friendly recycling technique that will save hundreds of tonnes of carbon emissions.
The £460,000 project, which Amey is carrying out on behalf of Transport Scotland, will address defects on more than 650 metres of the A96 road surface to the north of Keith, between the Mulben Junction and Newton of Forgie.
Work will take place between Thursday 18th April and Friday 26th April under traffic management which includes a full weekend closure of the trunk road and overnight road closures.
This will be the first time that the innovative recycling technique, known as in-situ cold recycling, has been used by Amey to resurface the north east trunk road network in Scotland.
In-situ cold recycling
In-situ cold recycling reuses all of the existing surfacing material to relay the new road pavement and reduces the carbon of a scheme by roughly 71%.
As well as significantly reducing carbon emissions, the technique also allows the resurfacing work to be carried out faster, and the road reopened quicker, than conventional resurfacing techniques.
The process involves firstly pulverising the existing carriageway at the site location (in-situ), and then mixing it with foamed bitumen and cementitious powder to create a new strengthened pavement.
The material is then overlayed with a new binder and surface course and compacted to return the recycled pavement back to the required road level.
By reusing existing pavement materials on site, and because the technique does not require the material to be heated, the amount of material that is transported to and from the work site is significantly reduced, leading to a large reduction in carbon emissions and reducing the impact on other road users.
A96 near Keith traffic management
The essential maintenance on the A96 near Keith will be carried out initially using overnight convoy working between 7.30pm on Thursday 18th April and 6.30am on Friday 19th April with Temporary Traffic Lights in place during the day on Friday 19th April.
Then, to ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists, there will then be a full weekend closure between 7.30pm on Friday 19th April and 6.30am on Monday 22nd April.
This will then be followed by a further four overnight closures between Monday 22nd April and Thursday 25th April from 7.30pm to 6.30am each night.
Traffic management is scheduled to be removed by 6.30am on Friday 26th April.
During the road closures northbound traffic will turn right onto the B9016 north of Keith and travel past the crematorium to turn left onto the A98. Traffic will then continue on the A98 to rejoin the A96 at Fochabers. Southbound traffic will take the route in reverse.
The resurfacing will benefit nearly 7,000 vehicles who use this route each day, creating a smoother ride for motorists and reducing the need for ongoing maintenance.
Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.
How to get the latest travel and traffic information
For full information on roadworks on trunk roads in the north-east of Scotland, visit the Amey website.
You can report a defect on the network by filling out this form.
Follow Amey North East Trunk Roads on Twitter at @NETrunkRoads.