Construction work for highways, roads

Tender description

The A229 Fairmeadow, Maidstone is a multi-lane carriageway road situated at the lower end of the High Street. The current gyratory system crosses 2 bridges over the river Medway for vehicles travelling north towards the M20 from Bishops Way. This is an extremely busy system especially at peak AM and PM times. The scheme involves the construction of 2 new north bound lanes on Fairmeadow, alteration of the existing central islands and implementation of revised traffic signals with associated signage and lining. The scheme will negate the need for northbound traffic to traverse the 2 bridges and implement a more direct route reducing congestion and improve journey time reliability. A bid to the Department of Transport for LEP Funding was successful and in May 2014, the Transport Secretary announced that funding had been allocated to the scheme. The key features include: — Improvements to the existing carriageway layout of A229 Fairmeadow for approximately 200 m in length; — Construction of 2 new north bound lanes to a width of 7.0 m (3.5 m each) to give a dual lane in 1 direction with flexible construction; — Alteration of existing central traffic islands to accommodate the new north bound lanes; — Diversion of major services; — Provision of a alterations to the existing drainage system, mixed with the utilisation of the old system in parts, with traditional gully catchment discharging to existing and new soakaways; — Provision of new street lighting throughout; — Provision of soft landscaping works; — Provision of associated signing and lining; — Retaining wall construction.