Workers and residents have come together to mark the end of a six-month project to replace the Durweston flood arches.
The project started on Monday 18 March with the preparatory works needed to replace the three flood arch structures with new, pre-cast concrete units.
Inspections identified that the flood arches were deteriorating at an increasing rate and needed to be replaced for the safety of road-users.
During a critical four-week road closure in June this year, the old brick arches were demolished and replaced with 38 pre-cast concrete units, each weighing 13 tonnes, which together now form the three flood culverts.
The project also re-graded the embankments that support the road across the flood plain, as deterioration of these slopes was beginning to undermine the road.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“These new flood arches will ensure the continued protection of the causeway across the flood plain, which is a vital link for these communities – and our embankment and fencing modifications will also improve the safety of this section of road.
“The team has done a great job keeping this complex project on programme, and the understanding and support from the local community has been tremendous. Thank you for your patience.”
Cllr Sherry Jespersen, elected member for the Hill Forts and Upper Tarrants ward, said:
“We’re all thrilled that the work has been completed on time, as promised. Not only has the project delivered new flood arches, we will also benefit from the new road surface, embankments, verges and fencing – which are all much more suited to the volume of traffic and type of vehicles using this road.
“Our thanks to the residents of Durweston and surrounding villages, who have patiently borne the disruption.”
The new pre-cast concrete culvert units have been installed in the same position and on the same alignment as the old arches. The height of the road and adjacent land is also the same, but the footprint of the new structures is wider so that new verges could be created.
While in the area, highways engineers also upgraded the permanent traffic signals at the A357/A350 junction, made repairs to Durweston Bridge and cleared drainage channels.
Over the next few weeks, the works compound will be dismantled and the access tracks will be removed to reinstate the previous grassland.
