A38(M) Tame Valley Viaduct
VolkerFitzpatrick is providing strengthening and refurbishment works to the A38(M) Tame Valley Viaduct for Birmingham City Council, which currently carries around 80,000 vehicles a day and links the M6 to the city centre.
Strengthening the viaduct
Built in the early 1970s, the 620m long composite viaduct, forms the northern end of the A38(M) Aston Expressway near ‘Spaghetti Junction’, it is 25 metres wide and carries seven lanes of traffic over 22 spans.
VolkerFitzpatrick are strengthening the viaduct’s superstructure via the addition of steel plates, secured in position using a combination of welding and bolting. In addition to strengthening, anti-corrosion paint will be applied to the structure, alongside other refurbishment works to help preserve the viaduct’s longevity and minimise the need for future work. The viaduct will remain open during the works, in order to minimise disruption. To enable this, VolkerFitzpatrick will be using high level access platforms spanning from pier to pier.
Supporting the community
We will provide employment opportunities over the course of the scheme and run a number of recruitment days in partnership with local groups. As well as working with supply chain contractors from the surrounding area, we will engage with local secondary schools, colleges and youth charities and provide a minimum of seven apprenticeship placements. VolkerFitzpatrick will also be working with a number of homelessness charities, running sponsorship events and supporting green landscape initiatives being promoted by local groups over the four and a half year project.
This is a significant investment into a key piece of our city's highways infrastructure. If we are to ensure people can move around the city as easy as possible and help business flourish, it is vital we carry out projects like this.
Cllr Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport at Birmingham City Council