Grontmij is part of the project team that received three Highways Agency Major Project awards in December 2008 for work undertaken on the M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill scheme. 

The new section of motorway was officially opened on Friday 5th December, which marked the 50th anniversary of the first motorway, the Preston Bypass (now part of the M6), being completed in the UK.
 
Missing link

Often described as the last ‘missing link’ between London and Glasgow, the Guardsmill to Carlisle section suffered from heavy congestion and a poor accident record. Work began on developing the nine kilometre stretch of existing dual carriageway to a three-lane motorway in 2003 through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract. The aim of the work was to provide more carriageway space to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow.
 
Innovative

As well as delivering the final piece of a historic road, the project has been praised for its innovative design solutions. The scheme crosses the River Esk which is an environmentally rich area, and includes the Solway Flats and Marshes. The crossing point consists of a 150m wide flood plain, making construction vulnerable to weather variations.

Bridge designer

Grontmij as bridge designer worked with Carillion, the main contractor and Fairfield Mabey, the structural steelwork sub-contractor to devise a two stage bridge launch that would minimise the impact of heavy rainfall on the project schedule. The second stage of the launch provided a rare example of hydraulic jacks being used to propel the steel girders of the bridge over piers constructed in the flood sensitive stretch of water.
 
Three Highway Agency major project awards

The project has been a resounding success, with it completed significantly under budget, ahead of programme and with an impeccable safety record. This recognition has led to the project receiving three Highways Agency major project awards.
 
The accolades were the ‘target zero award’ for 1,250,000 safe hours without a RIDDOR reportable accident and a 12 month rolling accident frequency rate of zero. The ‘road safety award’ was given in recognition of measures put in place to minimise risk to road users and local residents. The project also received the ‘cost award’ in relation to the robust risk and opportunity process that was implemented. Judges singled out the project as having “set new standards in construction”.

Speaking about the project, Mike Llywelyn-Jones, strategic business director said, “Grontmij has delivered the most technically challenging aspects of the job, including two very large and complex bridge designs. In doing so, we have delivered under budget, ahead of schedule, and to a very high standard of quality.”