This £2m project consisted of the construction of a large car park with an integral bus terminal on a greenfield site, underneath the M60 in Worsley. The car park had to be fully operational at the same time as the Leigh to Manchester Priority Bus Lane was completed, which was well under construction, so it was vital that our programmed completion date was met.
The project was over budget by £250,000 so we had to carry out a value engineering exercise. The drainage system and construction thicknesses were rationalised in addition to a re-assessment of the designed tier system of the site involving retaining walls. Lime stabilisation techniques were used to resolve level issues by adopting cut-and-fill methods.
As the bus lane contract had a two lane closure in operation, our site could only be accessed from the motorway slip road, which meant all vehicles entering the site had to had to comply with motorway regulations. Slow, full-laden wagons leaving the site would have to join a fast-moving motorway slip road and this had to be considered in our methodology.
As the designs hadn’t been fully completed when we started, we had to adopt a problem-solving technique style to work. For example, errors in setting out had to be amended while the earthworks continued, the proposed drainage system was to connect to a culvert, but the location was unknown, and the drainage and attenuation system designs couldn’t be finalised until we located the culvert. These issues had a major impact on our programme and put our critical path under pressure – accelerated working was required, which was achieved by working weekends, evenings, and night shifts.
Later in the contract, we were tasked with completing some work from the priority bus lane contract requiring possession of motorway slip roads. This included ducting, street lighting, and the installation of variable message signs. The work could only be done between 2200 and 0430 affording little time to establish traffic management/diversions and closures.
TfGM desires environmentally considerate schemes often wanting CEEQUAL certification. Lime stabilisation meant excavated materials were re-used on site as opposed to hauled to the landfill. Thousands of wagon trips were avoided as was the need to import quarried materials. Trees and vegetation from the site clearance operations were chipped and reused as mulch.
We adopted a change management system for the 77 compensation events/changes within the final account. The system recorded details of the changes and cumulative costs/savings with any effect on programme. The client was aware of cost and programme from tender to ultimate delivery. Monthly meetings discussed all changes, implementation, and the effect on programme. A risk workshop was arranged to progress changes and maximise opportunities.
This project highlighted the benefits of employing a flexible innovative contractor invested in the success of the scheme;
- Lime stabilisation saved cost and time, contributing to the client’s environmental credentials
- Work commenced despite unresolved design issues - programme wasn’t compromised
- Challenges met and fully managed
- Additional works adopted despite accelerated working
- Project was undertaken safely in accordance with all protocols.Clients’ objectives achieved; project delivered successfully on time.
