May 2019 sees Extrudakerb commence Phase 2 works within the Central Reserve of the M6 J13 to 15 Smart Motorways Project in collaboration with Kier.

The Central Reserve works, consisting of 25km of BBS Variable Concrete Barrier (CB-V), is split into 4 Phases with an overall completion date of early 2020. Phase 1, completed January 2019, consisted of 9km of CB-V, Phase 2 sees a further 7km of CB-V installed over May and June 2019, Phase 3 a further 8km between September and November 2019 with the balance being installed early 2020.

Its fair to say Phase 1 of the works were a success and it is important that we continue that success into Phase 2. The Phase 1 works were undertaken at the very northern end of the project and they presented both technical and logistical challenges, particularly in areas of split-level barrier, these challenges were collaboratively overcome between Extrudakerb and Kier.

Whilst the Phase 2 works do not present the technical and logistical challenges in relation to access/egress and split level CB, encountered in Phase 1, it is important not to take our eye off the ball, careful planning is essential to ensure outputs excel to meet programme requirements. This will be further assisted by Extrudakerb’s very own high-tech concrete trucks complete with an auto slump control system. The auto slump control system allows the batch plant to provide actual mix data information to the concrete truck, which in turn then allows the truck to monitor and deliver concrete to site as required without the need for site intervention.

Whilst you never know what’s around the corner and given construction projects historically throw up the odd surprise, one thing is for sure, the collaborative approach to this project has brought success and long may it continue.