Main construction on the Forder Valley Link Road - one of Plymouth’s biggest ever road projects - is now getting under way.
Enabling works have already been ongoing to clear and prepare the site, relocate utilities and create an access road to take construction traffic between Novorossiysk Road and the site offices and car park at Poole Farm.
The first phase of main construction will include earthworks for the main carriageway and the new embankment and retaining wall off Novorossiysk Road, as well as the start of work to build the bridge.
To enable works to be carried out safely there will be a lane closure on the downhill side of Novorossiysk Road but two-way traffic will be maintained by using one of the uphill lanes (there will be one lane of traffic in each direction).
There will also be a short lane closure on the northbound side of Forder Valley Road, on the approach to the Novorossiysk Road junction.
The lane closures – which will be in place from 7pm on Sunday 9 February – will be the same as those used intermittently during the enabling works but will now be required 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The closures will remain in place for the duration of the project, which is due to be completed in the summer of 2022.
The footway on the downhill side of Novorossiysk Road will also be closed, with a signed diversion via the uphill side.
Further traffic management measures will be introduced later in the project, the next phase of which will include the temporary closure of Forder Valley Road between the Novorossiysk Road junction and Fort Austin Avenue from the autumn. Regular updates will be issued during the project to let people know about upcoming changes.
The Forder Valley Link Road will connect William Prance Road in Derriford and the Forder Valley Road/Novorossiysk Road junction, via a bridge over the Bircham Valley. It will create a much-needed alternative link between the A38 and the north of the city, avoiding the often heavily congested Manadon Roundabout and the A386 Tavistock Road.
This will help reduce journey times to and from key destinations such as Derriford Hospital, the University of St Mark and St John and the Plymouth Science Park and improve bus service reliability.
The project also includes safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians and will be complemented by improvements to the Forder Valley (Leigham) roundabout.
Together with the Derriford Transport Scheme, Derriford Hospital Interchange, Marjon Link Road and the planned widening of the A386 between Woolwell and The George, this major new infrastructure will be key to unlocking growth in the north of Plymouth, where 4,300 new homes and a new district development of shops and community, leisure and health facilities are planned over the next 15 years.
Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has been appointed as main contractor for the project, with works procured through the Scape Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Framework.
For regular scheme updates and advance notifications of road layout changes email fvlrcomms@balfourbeatty.com with your name and contact details.