Blackwell’s machines are working on the earthworks subcontract for the A14 Integrated Delivery Team (IDT), a joint venture between Costain, Skanska, Balfour Beatty and designers Atkins/CH2M, working on behalf of Highways England. The Volvos form part of a fleet of more than 160 earthmoving machines and tipper lorries that Blackwell has operating on the site. This includes 72 articulated trucks and a range of excavators, graders and dozers. The new Volvo machines are being used initially on the excavation and haulage of 500,000m3 of Gault Clay, from a borrow pit at Dry Drayton to a link road embankment at the remodelled Girton Interchange. This has required the use of a temporary Bailey bridge across the existing A14, which separates the fill site from the borrow pit, thereby negating the need for tipper lorry journeys via the A14 and the local road network, in turn benefitting road users and the local community alike.
In sections 4 and 5 of the scheme, the A14 is being widened to four lanes on each side, between Bar Hill and Girton and junctions at Bar Hill, Swavesey, Girton, Histon and Milton are being improved. Construction commenced in 2016 and the road is due to open to traffic in December 2020. The work in these sections calls for about 5 million m3 of earthworks, including the development of two large borrow pits.
30 THE VOICE MAGAZINE No 34 2018
The new Volvos represent part of a programme of growth for the Blackwell fleet as demand for the company’s earthmoving expertise continues to build. The Blackwell Plant fleet is utilised within Blackwell’s and parent company Hargreaves Services’ operating markets of earthmoving, surface mining, quarrying and materials’ handling.
Blackwell has always sourced its machinery from premier equipment manufacturers and the new Volvo machines have been specifically prepared to meet the needs and requirements of the A14 project.
“The package was right,” says Plant Manager, David Lancashire, adding, "it was a complete mix of haulers and excavators that we were looking for. The package price was, of course, important, but more so was availability, and SMT GB was able to meet our timescale.” All of the Volvo excavators have been equipped with bright orange ‘boxing ring’ safety rails, audible quick hitch alarms and 360° cameras, fitted at SMT’s machine preparation centre in Immingham before being delivered to site. The Volvos are also equipped with fast-refuelling systems, to improve safety for the refuelling operator, eliminate spillage, reduce downtime and improve fuel cleanliness.
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