ESG has been awarded an 18-month contract from Kier Group to provide materials testing for the A30 road improvements project.
As part of the £250,000 deal, ESG will also provide specialist chemistry testing services to ensure that all construction materials meet specification and are compliant with all relevant regulations.
The A30 is the main route that connects Cornwall to the rest of the UK and is a dual carriageway between the M5 at Exeter and Carland Cross in Cornwall, with the exception of a 4.5km stretch of single carriageway. Kier is working with ESG to dual this section, between Temple and Higher Carblake, creating a continuous dual carriageway and building three new ‘grade separated’ junctions to provide access onto and off the trunk road in both directions.
The project has seen ESG open an in situ laboratory, offering rapid turnaround times and increased levels of flexibility for testing on site. Further samples are analysed at ESG’s recently upgraded facility in Wareham, Dorset as well as its main testing site in Bretby.
The works involve the construction of three bridges located at strategic locations along the improved route. As part of the A30 contract, ESG is providing a full range of materials testing services, which include tests on the concrete used to build the bridges, as well as earthworks and asphalt analysis.
Jim Murphy (pictured), managing director, infrastructure services, ESG said: “More than 100 major development schemes are due to begin on England’s roads over the next five years. Reducing turnaround times is a key demand in the sector and is essential for completing projects on schedule.
“The ability to operate an in situ laboratory allows ESG to rapidly deliver a broad range of materials testing services for Kier without leaving the site. On-site capabilities are complemented by a full range of material and chemical tests at ESG’s state of the art facilities around the country.”
Jamie Bee, Kier project manager for the A30, added: “The development of the A30 is taking place alongside an operational stretch of road which means traffic management is a key challenge. By working with us on site, ESG’s flexible approach means they’ve been able to respond to the real-time demands and provide us with an excellent level of service, helping us minimise disruption for holiday and weekend travellers.”
Work on the new A30 started in May 2015 and is expected to be completed in 2017.
