Stafford Road repairs: Before and after view on completed Wolverhampton roadworks project
These before and after pictures of one of Wolverhampton’s main roads illustrate what a difference seven weeks makes.
The images show how badly the A449 Stafford Road in Wolverhampton had deteriorated before the £1.45 million repair programme got under way
It has now been replaced by a smooth, crack-free surface.
The council has announced the improvement works to the key gateway into the city has been completed ahead of schedule,
This will be good news for motorists who have been caught up in delays since March as sections of the road were closed for resurfacing.
The work affected more than a mile of carriageway, between Gorsebrook Road Island and Oxley Moor Road, in phased sections.
A council boss described the improvements, financed by the Department of Transport, as ‘vital’ to the city economy.
The original two-month estimated timetable was subject to weather conditions but Tarmac, which carried out the repairs, enjoyed unseasonally dry weather almost throughout.
Before work started, a drop-in meeting was set up and letters of warning sent to hundreds of householders affected.
The scheme saw reconstruction and resurfacing of the road in both directions, with an additional section into the city from Gorsebrook Road Island to Five Ways also resurfaced.
Traffic management arrangements were in place throughout to minimise disruption to residents and businesses. Buses were also re-routed.
The work started on March 13 and took place overnight in eight phases.
It was completed in the early hours of Saturday, April 29 – a week ahead of schedule.
The initial works affected only the southbound carriageway before switching to the northbound carriageway on April 3. Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, praised the work being completed ahead of schedule and on budget.
He said: “It is vital to our local economy that we maintain our key city gateways to the highest standards. Huge credit must go to the team that delivered the scheme ahead of schedule and on budget. The end result looks impressive.”
He added: “The repair programme will improve access to and from the city for businesses, residents and commuters.”
