A133 Scheme in Colchester nearing completion

One of the most ambitious and complicated road schemes in Colchester is coming to an end after 20 months of some of the most complex engineering work ever undertaken in Essex.

The A133 Ipswich to Harwich Road widening scheme has just had final road surfacing completed and barriers and bollards are being removed.

During the first year of the scheme some of the largest utility works ever undertaken in the county took place, including relocation of a massive high-pressure water main and major cabling carrying massively complex communication lines serving the Tendring area. For many months, crews were underground out of sight, working on the intricate network.

However, while working under the railway bridge, engineers also discovered some cracking to the structure. This is now being repaired for the safety of all pedestrians, cyclists, vehicle and train users. It is very sensible to do this work while engineers and equipment are on site and while there are already minimal traffic restrictions at the Ipswich Road roundabout.

The alternative would have been to finish the A133 scheme and open all roads, but then have to return in later months and once again close part of the road to be able to safely work on the bridge - at significant cost and with further unwanted road closures.

At present the contractor is making good progress using narrow lane widths to keep traffic moving, although use of a one-way lane closure on Ipswich Rd (south) is being kept in reserve, just in case it is needed if any other unforeseen issues are encountered.

Work continues to finish the strengthened and piled retaining wall around the south-west area of the roundabout. Further works surfacing pavements, installing crossings, landscaping and finishing details of the road itself will also carry on, keeping any delay to a minimum in finishing the entire site.

More information is available at www.essex.gov.uk/highwayschemes (follow the link to the ‘A133 Ipswich Road improvement scheme, Colchester’). 

You can also check the @Essexhighways twitter feed and one.network for information about other works in the area.