The recent completion of the M25 closure at Wisley marks a significant milestone in the ongoing upgrade project led by Balfour Beatty Atkins. Throughout the weekend, crews effectively lifted 72 beams and a substantial gantry into place, showcasing efficient planning and precise execution.
- A meticulously planned operation saw roughly 100 workers lifting beams and erecting a gantry, ahead of schedule.
- The £250m upgrade at Wisley, executed by Balfour Beatty Atkins JV, demanded complex logistics, including five closures.
- This second closure exceeded the first in complexity, primarily due to the intricate and precise nature of the task.
- Despite traffic disruptions, the operation concluded seven hours earlier than planned, underscoring the project’s efficiency.
During a critical weekend of work, approximately 100 individuals dedicated their efforts to completing the beam lifting operations essential for the M25 East bridge. Despite the challenging nature of the task, involving sizeable beams and a gantry, the team successfully executed their plan ahead of schedule. This achievement is part of a £250 million upgrade scheme aimed at improving the interchange between the M3 and A3 at Wisley, Surrey.
The operation was part of a series of planned five closures necessary due to the complexities involved in the work. The first closure had been undertaken from Friday, 15th March to Monday, 18th March 2024, with the second taking place over the weekend of the 11th-12th May. Impressively, the carriageways were reopened seven hours ahead of the anticipated schedule.
National Highways senior project manager, Jonathan Wade, remarked on the increased difficulty of the second closure, attributing it to the greater scope and precision required. Via LinkedIn, he detailed the tasks: “Expanded had the responsibility of placing 68 16-tonne beams and 4 40-tonne end beams across the M25’s east and westbound lanes. Simultaneously, Nusteel was tasked with erecting stanchions and a 62-metre long gantry.”
Implementation required the coordinated use of three Ainscough cranes, one of which was a 750-tonne capacity crane, with two others rated at 500 tonnes. The commencement of beam installations began early at 04:00, with 24 beams positioned within six hours. Meanwhile, lorry shuttles were employed to transport beams to Cobham services for rerouting.
The delivery of the new gantry to the site was executed smoothly on Saturday morning, with the construction of its stanchions and assembly progressing through most of the day. The gantry was subsequently lifted into its final position by early Sunday morning, with activities aligned with the project timeline.
Throughout the weekend, mobile catering teams sustained the workforce with regular meal provisions, notably serving fish, chips, and mushy peas, which were well-received.
Such meticulous planning was spearheaded by Balfour Beatty Atkins, who leveraged lessons from previous closures. Recognition was extended to partners such as Surrey County Council and TfL, who played pivotal roles in the successful execution of the project despite inevitable traffic congestion.
The efforts of various teams were bolstered by favourable weather conditions, which contributed to the efficient advancement and early completion of the project. The successful reopening has set a positive precedent for the upcoming bridge works scheduled for the summer.
The successful completion of the second closure at Wisley exemplifies thorough planning and collaboration, setting a promising outlook for future phases.
