M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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brummie_rob
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by brummie_rob »

Bryn666 wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 14:33
brummie_rob wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 08:41 Three lanes open and the link road restrictions removed this morning on the southbound side. A 50mph speed restriction remains in place until end of Jan to test technology.
This isn't a smart motorway so what is being tested? MIDAS alone surely does not need six weeks of testing.

This was what was posted on Facebook
We have installed 6 new gantries and their associated electronic signs and messaging systems. There are also new cables, control boxes, communications and electrical systems. All need testing so that they function correctly and then all have to be commissioned and connected to the Highways England Regional Control Centre for centralised operation. Whilst doing this a temporary speed limit of 50mph will need to remain in place on both sides of the carriageway between junctions 1 and 2 once all of the roadworks have been removed. Traffic is kept at 50mph during this for safety reasons in case of a fault. This will be completed in the new year but is weather dependant to some extent. The project was originally planned for completion in autumn 2018 and is not exceeding original budget and risk allowance. Thank you.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by Bendo »

Big L wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 17:10 Passed through northbound this afternoon. Lane 1 appears to have been restored between J3 and J2 but is cones out of use. Between J2 and J1 everything appears finished except the white lines need painting.
Passed southbound at about 10ish. Northbound was closed so maybe they were doing the lines.
brummie_rob
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by brummie_rob »

Cameras show all lanes restored north too. Must have worked flat out all night as no white lining had been done at all.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by brummie_rob »

Obviously its lovely to have all three lanes open again, but I've just noticed from the spokesperson on Facebook that they won't be lifting the 50mph speed restrictions until mid-Feb now due to the testing. It is insane how this is required for so long when it isn't a smart motorway stretch.

Not overally impressed with the finish of the surface Northbound, it seems quite undulating in parts, perhaps as they were rushing to get the final section finished.
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Chris Bertram
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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The temporary signage is still in place on M6 southbound approaching J8. Have we been told when this will be removed and the blanking plates (over "The SOUTH WEST") taken off?
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brummie_rob
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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Chris Bertram wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 11:53 The temporary signage is still in place on M6 southbound approaching J8. Have we been told when this will be removed and the blanking plates (over "The SOUTH WEST") taken off?
Probably towards the end, if they remember. Be interesting to see if they restore the hard shoulder and lane one running onto the M5 and two and three onto the M6 only. I think the current layout prevents as much weaving and lorries moving into lane three, so I hope it stays as it is.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by A9NWIL »

brummie_rob wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 19:02 Obviously its lovely to have all three lanes open again, but I've just noticed from the spokesperson on Facebook that they won't be lifting the 50mph speed restrictions until mid-Feb now due to the testing. It is insane how this is required for so long when it isn't a smart motorway stretch.

Not overally impressed with the finish of the surface Northbound, it seems quite undulating in parts, perhaps as they were rushing to get the final section finished.
Could they seek to resurface through nightly closures over the summer perhaps?
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brummie_rob
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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Still no sign of the 50mph being removed after it was touted as Mid-Feb. The on-going saga continues...
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kevinse16
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by kevinse16 »

We drove on the viaduct section last Wednesday and the 50mph limit was still in place yet the road was fully open.
I hope this is not going to the new permanent limit
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IAN
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by IAN »

Unfortunately, I can see some sort of rationale for a 50 limit northbound as this could perhaps slow the flow enough to reduce congestion at Ray Hall (so logically the limit would continue to the junction). Can't see any reason for a 50 limit southbound.

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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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IAN wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 17:40 Unfortunately, I can see some sort of rationale for a 50 limit northbound as this could perhaps slow the flow enough to reduce congestion at Ray Hall (so logically the limit would continue to the junction). Can't see any reason for a 50 limit southbound.

Ian (M5 Driver)
How does slowing traffic reduce flow further along? All it's going to do is make it get there a minute or so later.
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brummie_rob
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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Big L wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 20:40
IAN wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 17:40 Unfortunately, I can see some sort of rationale for a 50 limit northbound as this could perhaps slow the flow enough to reduce congestion at Ray Hall (so logically the limit would continue to the junction). Can't see any reason for a 50 limit southbound.

Ian (M5 Driver)
How does slowing traffic reduce flow further along? All it's going to do is make it get there a minute or so later.
The queues on the link rarely happened whilst it was down to two lanes so this worked as such but now it's back at capacity it doesn't matter as it queues every day.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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brummie_rob wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 20:56
Big L wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 20:40
IAN wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 17:40 Unfortunately, I can see some sort of rationale for a 50 limit northbound as this could perhaps slow the flow enough to reduce congestion at Ray Hall (so logically the limit would continue to the junction). Can't see any reason for a 50 limit southbound.

Ian (M5 Driver)
How does slowing traffic reduce flow further along? All it's going to do is make it get there a minute or so later.
The queues on the link rarely happened whilst it was down to two lanes so this worked as such but now it's back at capacity it doesn't matter as it queues every day.
Yes, 3 lanes at 50 makes no difference to 3 lanes at 70, from the queueing point of view. 2 lanes, coupled with frightening traffic onto the M42 had an effect.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by Bryn666 »

It's the effect of the braking concertina wave that is why slower speeds into a traffic jam work better.

There is less of a shockwave so there isn't a phantom jam further back which in turn often causes collisions and more delays.

This is the whole rationale behind variable speed limits.

Some of the bends on the older parts of the M5 are really pushing the boundaries of motorway design hence the advisory 50s that used to be along it.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by SouthWest Philip »

Haven't been through for a few weeks, but has the destination signage on the M5 northbound at jnc 4A been reinstated yet? It hadn't last time I went though which was perhaps a month after all lanes through the roadworks had reopened. Given the gradient of the M5 approaching the M42, I would also hope that they're going to return it to three lanes for the M5 through the junction.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by Truvelo »

SouthWest Philip wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 21:09 Given the gradient of the M5 approaching the M42, I would also hope that they're going to return it to three lanes for the M5 through the junction.
The last time I drove it there were just two lanes and the markings look permanent :(
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by A303Chris »

This HA update gives the answers on the 50mph and J4 questions people have been asking.

They have completed all the main work on the carraigeway but the 50mph limit is in place until they have completed technology tests and taken the scaffolding down under the flyover.

In addition J4a will be returned to its original layout in April.
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Chris Bertram
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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A303Chris wrote: Tue Mar 10, 2020 14:05 This HA update gives the answers on the 50mph and J4 questions people have been asking.

They have completed all the main work on the carraigeway but the 50mph limit is in place until they have completed technology tests and taken the scaffolding down under the flyover.

In addition J4a will be returned to its original layout in April.
Sorry, too lazy to read for myself, but will all the signage on M6 approaching J8 be reverted to its original state at that point?
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

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A303Chris wrote: Tue Mar 10, 2020 14:05 This HA update gives the answers on the 50mph and J4 questions people have been asking.

They have completed all the main work on the carraigeway but the 50mph limit is in place until they have completed technology tests and taken the scaffolding down under the flyover.

In addition J4a will be returned to its original layout in April.
Nothing in that says 50 limit while the scaffolding comes down; only during the ‘technology testing’.
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Re: M5 Oldbury viaduct works

Post by linuxrocks »

Wasn't the elevated section between junctions 1 and 2 50mph before the road works started? It was so long ago that I've forgotten. Streetview shows images from 2008 with the works in full swing - I didn't realise just how long it has taken.
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