AWPR Appeal rejected

[Jambo85]

I think it was Mark McDonald MSP's page. I'm sure there will be some crackers on FUBAR News too but I can't bring myself to look on there..!

[ABZ RS6]

Aberdeen bypass bridge 'finished in December'

Hmmm, does not mention a year....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-...

[mikecassie]

ABZ RS6 said:

Aberdeen bypass bridge 'finished in December'

Hmmm, does not mention a year....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-...

Well they'd be bloody stupid to say which year after all the delays. I'm just waiting for the surface to need resurfacing after two years or the road markings to be non-existent after the first winter.

[Peanut Gallery]

And although it is not the AWPR, how on earth does it take from now till 2021 to build the Haudagain bypass road?

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/imp...

All I can see is a bit of road about 0.3 miles long.

[abzmike]

ABZ RS6 said:

Aberdeen bypass bridge 'finished in December'

Hmmm, does not mention a year....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-...

You have to admire their optimism if they are meaning 2018. They will be praying for bad weather so they can blame that.

[abzmike]

Peanut Gallery said:

And although it is not the AWPR, how on earth does it take from now till 2021 to build the Haudagain bypass road?

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/imp...

All I can see is a bit of road about 0.3 miles long.

Absolutely, and that is just the latest estimate, and we all know what that means.
Of course a number of people are needing to be rehoused etc, but the timescale is ridiculous. The insistence to wait for the completion of AWPR was stupid then and stupid now.

[dxg]

Mentioned here that the post tensioning ducts are in the wrong place on that bridge!!!!

https://www.building.co.uk/news/when-will-it-end-g...

That's an unbelievable balls-ups if it's true. Question is - design or site position problem and who failed to notice it?

Also rumours on twitter that site operatives are saying March (2019!) as earliest possible opening.

[Jambo85]

Good find. You mention post tensioning ducts, article says stretching ducts... Can you explain what those are in layman's terms?

Here's their stockmarket update: http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/galliford/rns/r...

They never fail to try blaming it on the weather!

[abzmike]

Jambo85 said:

Good find. You mention post tensioning ducts, article says stretching ducts... Can you explain what those are in layman's terms?

Here's their stockmarket update: http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/galliford/rns/r...

They never fail to try blaming it on the weather!

Apparently there are cables run inside the bridge structure, presumably through the ducts, that hold it together. Probably quite important they are lined up right so the cables can pass through in the manner intended. I don't know much about bridge building, but would have thought that was pretty obvious while they're putting the bits together.

[dxg]

abzmike said:

Jambo85 said:

Good find. You mention post tensioning ducts, article says stretching ducts... Can you explain what those are in layman's terms?

Here's their stockmarket update: http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/galliford/rns/r...

They never fail to try blaming it on the weather!

Apparently there are cables run inside the bridge structure, presumably through the ducts, that hold it together. Probably quite important they are lined up right so the cables can pass through in the manner intended. I don't know much about bridge building, but would have thought that was pretty obvious while they're putting the bits together.

Pretty much this. Putting the concrete under massive compression, via tension rods run through ducts in carefully calculated positions (in theory!!) makes it much stronger than it would otherwise be. Once the concrete has cured to a sufficient strength, the tension rods are then pulled taut and conical anchors hold them in place at the open ends of the ducts. The ducts are then filled with grout from grouting tubes running to them from the deck topside. This protects the rods from corrosion. These ducts take careful profiles as they pass through the bridge to make sure that the compression is in just the right place - i.e. the bottom of the beam at the midpoint of the span and the top of the beam about the bearings.

Haven't got the first clue how you would fix these ducts being in the wrong place, though...

[Jambo85]

dxg said:

abzmike said:

Jambo85 said:

Good find. You mention post tensioning ducts, article says stretching ducts... Can you explain what those are in layman's terms?

Here's their stockmarket update: http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/galliford/rns/r...

They never fail to try blaming it on the weather!

Apparently there are cables run inside the bridge structure, presumably through the ducts, that hold it together. Probably quite important they are lined up right so the cables can pass through in the manner intended. I don't know much about bridge building, but would have thought that was pretty obvious while they're putting the bits together.

Pretty much this. Putting the concrete under massive compression, via tension rods run through ducts in carefully calculated positions (in theory!!) makes it much stronger than it would otherwise be. Once the concrete has cured to a sufficient strength, the tension rods are then pulled taut and conical anchors hold them in place at the open ends of the ducts. The ducts are then filled with grout from grouting tubes running to them from the deck topside. This protects the rods from corrosion. These ducts take careful profiles as they pass through the bridge to make sure that the compression is in just the right place - i.e. the bottom of the beam at the midpoint of the span and the top of the beam about the bearings.

Haven't got the first clue how you would fix these ducts being in the wrong place, though...

Every day is a school day, thanks!

[Heidfirst]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-...

[Jambo85]

Awesome. Still plenty of activity on the Don Bridge every day.

Forgot to mention I got a reply to my last letter to Transport Scotland. Most of it was regurgitated press releases already discussed on here but this bit was new to me:

Transport Scotland said:

To answer your question on congestion in Dyce, the Cabinet Secretary also advised Parliament that traffic modelling has been undertaken as part of the review of opening the road from Stonehaven to Craibstone. Appropriate traffic management will be put in place to help manage the traffic flows if the opening of a further section can be agreed with ARL.

Remains to be seen what that traffic management would be, I still predict carnage in Dyce.

[Peanut Gallery]

Jambo85 said:

Remains to be seen what that traffic management would be, I still predict carnage in Dyce.

May I also predict carnage on every possible route from the airport to Ellon? - Haudigan, Danestone, Dyce, even cutting through Old Aberdeen.

Will be good for those who plan to just use that section though!

[Jambo85]

^ agreed!

Apologies if already posted but some unusually factual reporting from the Evening Express, you can read the meeting transcript also which is interesting:

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/liv...

Balfour Beatty and Galliford Try are having a tough time by the sounds of it.

This whole project could be used as a case study in how not to do public relations/expectation management/clear and transparent communication. We have a life changing bit of infrastructure about to be handed to us and most people in the area are pissed off about it!

[PaulD86]

Jambo85 said:

^ agreed!

factual reporting from the Evening Express

Isn't that a sign of the apocalypse?

[Jambo85]

Probably!

Opening Wednesday!!
https://www.transport.gov.scot/progress-update/cra...

Transport Scotland said:

When this section initially opens, road users will be able to leave the AWPR at Kingswells North using the southbound slip road but will not be able to join the road using the northbound slip road at this location. The northbound slip road will remain closed while temporary traffic management measures are in place directing all northbound road users to leave the main carriageway at Craibstone Junction. This will enhance the safety of road users.

Wonder what that bit is all about?

Also from here: https://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/local/news/ma...

"A route for traffic travelling between Craibstone and Parkhill has been agreed with the local road authorities, which will be in place until the works at the River Don Crossing are complete and this remaining section opens to traffic. Road users should travel east from Craibstone using the A96, then northbound onto the A92 until they reach Blackdog Junction where they can re-join the AWPR to Parkhill or continue north on the new A90 Balmedie to Tipperty section. The reverse journey should be used for those wishing to travel south to Craibstone."

So basically the advised route from the airport to the A947 and A90 North is via the Haudagain and the Parkway? I'm sure everyone will observe that advice!

[rossub]

Doesn’t seem to be any guidance on when sections are open, but I’m going to give it a go in the morning. I reckon the first day will be the best time to try it out, as everyone on it will be clueless and hopefully not bearing down on others at 80 mph.

[Jambo85]

Indeed, just 'early hours'. I can only assume they mean in time for the morning commute.

I passed the Kingswells roundabout earlier and there seemed to be a loader thing removing the concrete blocks and replacing with traffic cones, so presumably once the wombles get the OK to open it, it will be a pretty swift affair to actually do so.

Drove Dyce to Portlethen this morning via Anderson Drive, quite amazing to think it could be the last time I ever have to suffer all those sodding roundabouts!!

[csd19]

How long will it be before the junction at Stonehaven is closed for redesigning?
Not sure if there are plans for traffic lights, but if the roundabout ends up light controlled the queues will be back on to the A90...

But without traffic lights, heavy southbound traffic will stop northbound traffic from getting on to the roundabout! Something to watch for in the evenings.