As part of the BMV joint venture, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure refurbished Oldbury viaduct, which stretches for 3.2 kilometres between junctions 1 and 2 of the M5 in the West Midlands.
Built in 1970, this section of the M5 is one of the busiest routes in the country, carrying 120,000 vehicles a day across six lanes through Sandwell, to the west of Birmingham.
The project featured removal and replacement of old surfacing; concrete repairs; waterproofing; addition of a new concrete central barrier; replacement of drainage pipework, plus installation of new communications systems and overhead gantries.
Project fact
This is the largest concrete repair project ever undertaken in the UK
Our work focused both on resurfacing the road itself, and repairing the underside of the viaduct. To carry out the work below the viaduct, the team installed scaffolding underneath the motorway and surrounded it with polythene to prevent dust and other materials from escaping. On its route the elevated motorway crosses railway lines, canals and other roads, which increased the complexity of the scaffolding required.
To help reduce congestion on local roads, the M5 and junctions 1 and 2 remained open throughout the scheme.
An aerial view of the M5 Oldbury viaduct
Making a difference
We have recruited 20 apprentices locally to the project, with a view to gaining skilled training and experience of scaffolding, hydro-demolition or concrete repair.
Across the project our team engaged with several schools in the area, providing in excess of 160 hours of workshops with more than 2,220 pupils.
We also took part in several projects to benefit the community, donating more than 260 volunteer hours and over £11,900 of materials.
