Hills M2 Upgrade
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Hills M2 Upgrade October 2012 Community Update Construction progress at the new Herring and Christie Road ramps August 2012 Dust management in action during Christie Road Bridge abutment demolition August 2012 In this issue: page Bridge update 4 Three month look ahead 5 Sustainability on the Hills M2 6–7 Stage 2 opening 8–9 Norfolk Tunnel widening update 10 Construction zone updates 11–13 Keeping the local community informed 15 Kids Research Institute 16 2 A message from the Head of Hills M2 Every day is a balancing act when operating a motorway impatience, and driver inattention are known factors in work like the Hills M2. My team and I are constantly focused on site accidents, so motorists should remember to: minimising travel times for 100,000 motorists and 27,000 bus patrons that use the motorway each day. • Follow the road work and speed limit signs – roadwork speed limits can change. We focus on keeping the full motorway available to peak • Avoid distraction – roadwork zones include lane marking and weekday commuters when the road is busiest, undertaking some work at night, on weekends and public holidays when other changes that require attention. traffic volumes are lower. • Be aware of construction workers and traffic – drive safely, roadworkers have families too. Car accidents and breakdowns have the biggest effect on congestion. The greatest delays are often linked to accidents The first stage of the project, the Windsor Road west-facing where there has been a serious injury or when the motorway has ramps are now open and the benefits are flowing to the community. been damaged, such as impacts with barriers dividing lanes. Some motorists are saving up to 40 minutes per week on their commute to Norwest Business Park, the Hills and Parramatta. My team focus on minimising the impacts of these incidents. We have tripled the number of incident response vehicles on The next stage of the motorway to open will be the Macquarie Park the motorway and have stationed crews 24/7 at the Norfolk Tunnel ramps. Once completed, the new Macquarie Park ramps will help to reduce response times. We work closely with the Transport alleviate congestion on Epping Road and through Macquarie Park. Management Centre, Live Traffic and the Public Transport Info line to The new on and off ramps are expected to benefit regular travellers ensure up to date travel information is available during an incident. to Macquarie Park, like Macquarie University students and workers. Motorists are expected to save up to 40 minutes a week. I’d like to remind motorists to slow down and stay alert in work zones for their own safety as well as our workers. Speeding, Craig Greene, Head of Hills M2 New west facing Windsor Road ramps August 2012 3 Benefits Bridge work update The Hills M2 Upgrade will widen the existing motorway As part of the Hills M2 widening work several bridges are generally between Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills and Lane being upgraded to accommodate the new lanes. Work includes Cove Road, North Ryde and will deliver four new ramps to widening and/or lengthening of the bridges. Here’s a summary improve access to the motorway. The project aims to provide of work progress on the bridges: efficient and integrated transport for the community of Barclay Road Bridge Sydney’s North-West. Lengthening the Barclay Road Bridge is almost complete with Significant progress has been made since the Upgrade started in resurfacing work anticipated for completion in November. January 2011, and work is on schedule for completion in mid 2013. Devlins Creek Bridge The upgrade will: Widening the Devlins Creek Bridge is almost complete with the last concrete pours scheduled for October and early November. ✓ Reduce congestion and travel times during busy morning and afternoon periods: Murray Farm Road Bridge – 40% in AM peak hour Work to lengthen the eastern side of the Murray Farm Road Bridge is almost complete. The northern abutment has been – 24% in PM peak hour removed and the new central pier constructed. Resurfacing ✓ Restore a 100km/h speed limit along the motorway from work on the bridge should be completed in November 2012. Lane Cove Road to Windsor Road, including through the Beecroft Road Bridge Norfolk Tunnel at Epping. Converting the Beecroft Road Bridge from a three span ✓ Provide new entry and exit points to improve access to to a two span bridge is now complete. Some surface repairs the north-west from Windsor Road and Sydney’s growing will be undertaken in November 2012. residential and business centres in Macquarie Park. Terrys Creek Bridge Major construction and widening of the Terrys Creek Bridge is now complete. Installation of a median drainage line under the bridge should be completed in November. Christie Road Bridge Widening and lengthening of the Christie Road Bridge is nearly complete. It is anticipated that the lengthened and widened bridge will be opened to traffic in November. Khartoum Road Bridge Widening work on the citybound side of Khartoum Road Bridge is complete with westbound widening work commencing in October 2012. Barclay Road Bridge August 2012 4 4 Three month look ahead Jumbo drill installing rock bolts adding strength to the westbound Norfolk Tunnel before widening is undertaken, September 2012 October to December 2012: • Continue rock excavation outside both ends of the westbound Norfolk Tunnel. • Complete major service relocation work and commence • Install new and/or relocate existing signs along the motorway. widening excavation work in the westbound Norfolk Tunnel. • Construct new sections of pavement along the motorway. • Complete installing new permanent noise walls and remove temporary noise walls. • Replace existing toll gantries at the main toll plaza. • Drainage and earthworks adjacent Vimiera Road, Marsfield. • Realign traffic lanes along both carriageways of the motorway to allow next stages of construction. • Complete work in Somerset Street, Epping and Talavera Road, Macquarie Park. • Night work for: – Tunnel rock bolting, service relocation and widening work • Complete major bridgework at: in the westbound tube – Barclay Road Bridge – Removing temporary noise walls – Devlins Creek Bridge – Murray Farm Road Bridge – Commence asphalt placement west of Pennant Hills Road – Beecroft Road Bridge – Hauling and delivery of materials from Terrys Creek to – Terrys Creek Bridge Lane Cove Road – Christie Road Bridge – Pavement strengthening work • Ongoing bridgework at: – Saw cutting new pavement – Khartoum Road Bridge – Bridgework • Continue rock excavation drainage and widening work in the – Traffic lane realignment including temporary concrete median section of the motorway. barrier movement and line removal/line marking. 4 5 Sustainability on the Hills M2 Upgrade The Hills M2 Upgrade is committed to minimising environmental • Low density Hebel concrete sound barriers provide 60% impact and using sustainable product alternatives during better environmental waste benefits than comparable construction including: materials during the manufacturing process; • Installing solar powered street lights at the main site • 96% of aggregate purchased is recycled material. compound – this saves over 40 tonnes of CO2 over the • 200,000 cubic metres of material is reprocessed and reused life of the project; on site. • Rainwater collection systems to collect and store water On site rock crushing and screening operations eliminate the from site offices and lunch rooms for flushing toilets and need to import material or send unsuitable material to landfill. for dust suppression, reducing the unnecessary use of This reduces waste and vehicle use, reduces emissions and potable water. avoids heavy vehicle movements in the local community. Other initiatives to promote sustainability include recycling spray In addition to this, we use construction materials chosen for paint cans, recycling over 90% of construction and office waste their sustainable properties. For example: and separating mercury from the old tunnel lighting for recycling. • Reinforcement steel containing between 66% and 89% Our work methods encourage waste reduction and recycling recycled content; construction materials to minimise the project’s carbon footprint and ensure resources for current and future generations. A rock crusher at the main compound reprocessing material for use in the Upgrade 6 Fauna rescues in the Hills M2 corridor Due to the project’s close proximity to backyards and bushland, the project’s environment representatives are called out to rescue a variety of animals who wander onto site. Just recently, a chicken and egg were rescued from Pennant Hills Road, a family of ducks from Delhi Road and a baby ringtail possum was rescued and then released into nearby bushland. Another interesting rescue was a family dog which found itself entangled in thick scrub near Beecroft Road. The Chow Chow dog was freed and taken to the pound where thanks to a microchip it was reunited with its owner in Blacktown. A Chow Chow dog safely returned to its owner If pets or wildlife are seen on the motorway, motorists are reminded of these driving tips: • Avoid swerving or unnecessary lane changing, remain in control and pass the animal slowly. • Leave sufficient space between vehicles for your travelling speed, don’t tailgate. • Obey speed limits, use a safe travel speed when passing wildlife. • If a passenger or the driver are using a hands free device, call the Hills M2 motorway on 1800 196 266 or Transport Management Centre on 131 700. Baby ringtail possum rescued from the central median The Hills School urban sensory trail project The Hills School at Northmead has been selected as a recipient The initiative will see the installation of an interactive Urban of the Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd Community Investment Sensory Trail where students are encouraged to engage with Program in 2012. A Leighton Contractors employee on the the urban landscape around them in a safe and fun environment. Hills M2 Upgrade submitted The Hills School for consideration The trail will include several ‘stops’ along the way that students to take part in the 2012 program.