Freemen's Common Village Section 278 Highway Works
About the project
Danaher & Walsh Civil Engineering was appointed by Engie to carry out major Section 278 highway works related to the £200m Freemen's Common Village development for the University of Leicester.
Key details
- Client
- Engie
- Project value
- £1.5m (Ph.1)
- Date
- Jan - Nov 2020
Key aims and challenges
Engie is delivering 1,164 new student homes across seven blocks, the refurbishment of a grade II listed building to be used as office and study space, the construction of a 500-space multi-storey carpark and the creation of a new 9,000 m2 teaching and learning centre.
As part of the project, major highway improvements were required in the vicinity of the site.
Centered around Welford Road, the highway works comprised improvements to the junctions with Putney Road, University Road and Victoria Park Road.
New traffic lanes were created, central refuges constructed, new traffic signals installed and new shared footway/cycleways were built. New street lighting and signage was also installed.
Danaher & Walsh also managed the works of numerous statutory undertakers, whose underground apparatus traverse the works area.
How did we do?
This very busy part of Leicester's highway network is a critical arterial route. Minimising the impact on highway users and pedestrians required a twofold approach.
Firstly, careful phasing of the works was necessary to maximise usable road space at any given time.
Secondly, an Urban 64 temporary traffic signal system was used, which interfaces with the permanent signal controllers and Leicester Area Traffic Control to enable optimal traffic flows.
Danaher & Walsh worked closely with Engie from tender stage, providing detailed phasing, budgetary and buildability advice to help the scheme come into fruition.
Phase 2 of the works is due to be undertaken in 2022 in time for the opening of the new complex in September.
Project gallery
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