Work will begin shortly on the A646 at Falling Royd, between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd, after the road was severely damaged by the Boxing Day floods.
The unprecedented flooding which followed Storm Eva caused a concrete beam which supports the carriageway to move, causing a crack which is 30 metres long and 25mm wide. The beam supports the edge of the carriageway and acts as a foundation to the safety barrier.
Although the road has remained open, such severe damage has meant that one carriageway has been unusable and the road has been reduced to one lane, controlled by temporary traffic lights, since Boxing Day 2015.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins said:
“This is a busy, well-used section of the highways network and I’m pleased that we’re now reaching the stage where work will begin on site.
“It’s a complex project because of the road structure and it’s vital that we designed the scheme carefully – the new carriageway must be secure and resilient, able to withstand any future flooding.”
The concrete beam must be stabilised before the road can be re-surfaced. Eighteen piles will be inserted in holes drilled into the bedrock along the route. The beam will then be secured to the piles to prevent further movement in future. Once this stage has been completed the road can be repaired and then re-surfaced.
Work is scheduled to begin on site on 11 July 2016. Initially the work to stabilise the road will be lower down the hill, not visible to passing motorists. The majority of the programme will be undertaken during the school holidays, to avoid the periods of peak demand experienced during term time. The current temporary traffic lights will continue to operate along the route allowing road users to travel in both directions throughout the work.
The roadworks are expected to be completed by the end of September 2016.