Our highways team has been making steady progress across the M2 junction 5 improvement scheme since work commenced earlier this year.

Work will soon complete on the bulk of earthworks which shape the landscape around the junction. The earthworks operation involves excavation, transportation, placement, and compaction of 210,000m3 of material, most of which is weather susceptible chalk subsoils.

Work also continues to progress with the new eastbound on and off slip roads. Road surfacing works have recently commenced following the completion of the drainage and construction of the road foundations.

Statutory diversion works continue to progress across the scheme which are vital, as the project is reliant on these diversions been completed on time to allow our other construction activities to be then undertaken.

We’re pleased to report that piling works continue with the successful installation of 93 concrete piles to the southbound and northbound sliproad structures along with 900no soil inclusion columns/piles installed for ground improvements on the scheme. Reinforced concrete activities including steel reinforcement installation are continuing to form the new northbound retaining wall façade and the SB diverge bridge structures bridge deck has recently been delivered.

This year, we achieved a significant milestone with the successful installation of the UK’s first multi-span flexi arch bridge, which was prefabricated off site, before being delivered and craned into place directly beneath the existing M2 viaduct. At present, we are working to re-open the M2 EB on/off slips road in January 2023.

Further key achievements and updates include:

• Major utility diversion works are set to continue into 2023 and include, high and low voltage electricity cables, BT Openreach, South Eastern Water and Southern Water diversions. A 700mm and 300mm water main will be diverted across the entire scheme as part of our works, including a major diversion to fibre optic cables that link Maidstone and Sittingbourne.
• Earthwork activities are set to recommence in the spring with 112,000m3 material to excavate, transport and place.
• Drainage operations will continue with the installation of 6,300mtrs of surface water pipe networks across the project. Other drainage works will see the completion of 2 new attenuation ponds, which will hold excess surface water during wet periods and prevent flooding on the scheme in the future.
• Works will continue on the scheme’s major structures, including the two new Stockbury flyovers road bridges and the completion of reinforced concrete works on the northbound retaining wall. Other works will see piling and concrete pours to form the foundations for the new A249 flyover including the completion of additional ground improvements and the construction of a 1,000m long reinforced earth wall.
• Key milestones in 2023 will include the opening to traffic of the new Maidstone Link Road, Oad Street Link Road as well as the A249 NB merge and SB Diverge.

For more information on the M2 junction 5 improvements scheme, please visit: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m2-junction-5-improvements/