Extended hours, weekend working and the deployment of additional resources will help to reduce the time taken to finish the highway improvement scheme in Foxdale.
Subject to favourable conditions, the Department of Infrastructure is targeting a revised completion date of Wednesday 2 August.
The main road through Higher Foxdale, which has been temporarily reopened for the TT Festival, will close again at 10am on Monday 12 June to allow the remaining work to be carried out.
Once the site set-up has taken place, staff will focus on the section from the filling station to Mines Road. The final phase of excavation and reconstruction will be challenging, as there are water, gas, electric and telecoms pipes and cables serving properties on both sides of the road.
The programme includes –
• Installing the storm water drainage system, manholes, road gullies and connections
• Completing the water main, telecom ducting and gas main, including service connections
• Reconstructing approximately 700 square metres of carriageway
• Reconstructing the footway on the Mines Road side of the carriageway and placing overhead electricity and telecom supplies underground. The footway on the opposite side of the road will remain open for pedestrian access while this work takes place
• Reconstructing the footway on Baltic Inn side of the road. Pedestrian access will be provided via the new footway on other side of the road
• Raising all ironwork and completing approximately 3,000 square metres of surfacing layers on the carriageway
• Erecting signage and painting road markings.
Access to properties, including the filling station and pub, will be maintained during the work.
Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ‘Residents, business owners and road users have been extremely patient and I am pleased to say that the finishing line is now in sight. With 10-hour working days, Saturday shifts and up to 14 members of staff on site at certain times, we are pulling out all the stops to accelerate the final phase of the scheme.’
He added: ‘The Department is also continuing to work in partnership with the utility providers to ensure good progress. The aim is to finish the scheme by 2 August, which is more than two weeks ahead of our previous schedule.’
