Road closure on A96 near Keith extended until Friday 3rd May after unique challenges delay work
The road closure that has been extended until 7.30pm on Friday 3rd May, followed by overnight closures from Tuesday 7th May to Thursday 9th May.
ROAD CLOSURE ON A96 NEAR KEITH EXTENDED UNTIL FRIDAY 3RD MAY AFTER UNIQUE CHALLENGES DELAY WORK
A road closure on the A96 north of Keith has been extended until 7.30pm on Friday 3rd May after unforeseen and unique challenges delayed the resurfacing scheme.
The project is addressing defects on more than 650 metres of the A96 to the north of Keith between Mulben Junction and Newton of Forgie.
The original works schedule required extension after a significant problem was identified within the lower layers of the road during construction that caused the new layers above to deteriorate under vehicle loading, resulting in undulating sections that required replacement.
Unfortunately, torrential downpours during the past week exacerbated these problems and made it extremely difficult to correct the issue as the ground underneath and subsequent replacement road layers have been moving due to heavy saturation.
In addition, it has been discovered that water has also been leaking into the sub-grade and sub-base layers from an uncharted spring adjacent to the carriageway.
Additional work to remove saturated sub-base
As a consequence of the above, additional work is now being undertaken to remove the saturated sub-base layer, install a 300mm deep rock capping layer and install additional drainage to prevent further issues and to strengthen the sub-grade.
This rock capping layer will help to protect the sub-grade from further rainfall and weathering as well as providing stiffer resistance to the loads from the surfaces above.
The sub-base layer will then be replaced and overlayed with asphalt layers to return the pavement back to the required road level.
Road closure works programme
This work will require to be carried out under a full road closure until 7.30pm on Friday 3rd May, with the road scheduled to reopen under speed restrictions over the bank holiday weekend.
Further work will then take place from Tuesday 7th May to Thursday 9th May under overnight closures between 7.30pm and 6.30am in order to complete the scheme.
All traffic management is scheduled to be removed by 6.30am on Friday 10th May.
The previous diversion will remain in place during the closures.
Northbound traffic will turn right onto the B9016 north of Keith and travel past the crematorium to turn left onto the A98. Traffic will then continue on the A98 to rejoin the A96 at Fochabers. Southbound traffic will take the route in reverse.
Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.
