Ground Investigation
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In early summer 2002, work is due to start on the ground investigation for the proposed completion of the M74 Motorway.
The investigation will be carried out by a specialist contractor using boring and drilling rigs and excavators to take soil and rock samples. This work will take an estimated 6-9 months to complete.
In order to keep disruption to people and businesses to a minimum, the work will be done in stages along the five mile corridor of the proposed route between Fullarton Road Junction, near Carmyle, and the M8 Motorway, just west of the Kingston Bridge. Each stage will be completed as quickly as possible.
Why the work must be done
The work, which is normal for any major construction project, is essential to:-
- Help confirm the most suitable line for the road
- Check the ground condition and its engineering properties
- Look for and identify any industrial contamination
What the investigation will look for
The investigation will allow a geological profile of the route to be determined. This will include information about contamination and the ability of the ground to support motorway bridges and embankments.
In particular, it will investigate long-disused coalmines and areas occupied by heavy industry, including steel and chemical works. As a result of these uses, soils may contain potentially hazardous contaminants including chromium, other heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.
How the investigation will be carried out
Boring rigs, up to 4.5m high, will sink boreholes at pre-determined intervals along the route. Soil samples will be obtained by 'percussion' boring - a hollow tube being hammered into the ground and then extracted with the soil sample inside. These recovered soil samples will then be tested in off-site laboratories to establish their engineering properties, to enable safe and economic design of the motorway bridges and embankments. The samples will also be tested for any chemical contamination.
Drilling rigs will be used to investigate the presence of mineworkings and to extract rock cores for strength testing. The information obtained will then be used to assess stability of the ground and permit appropriate design of the bridge foundations.
Excavators will dig trial pits to provide soil samples at shallow depths for testing.
Noise of plant and machinery will be kept to a minimum by strict enforcement of permitted noise levels.
When investigations at each site are complete, boreholes and trial pits will be carefully backfilled and the surface reinstated.
Health and safety precautions
The health and safety of the public, site workers and communities along the route is paramount. An Environmental Management Plan giving the highest priority to health and safety has been prepared.
The plan will require the specialist contractor to:-
- Strictly observe health and safety and environmental legislation
- Adopt measures to address key issues such as control of noise and dust
- Ensure appropriate management of all site operations
The plan will also lay down strict controls for safe working. These will include excluding the public from investigation sites, safe handling and disposal of all materials and use of appropriate protective clothing for the site workers.
Geotechnical and environmental engineers, geologists and chemists will direct the site works at all times. All soil and rock samples will be carefully recovered and sealed, and sent to specialist laboratories for testing. Any surplus soil not sent away for testing will go to a registered landfill site for safe disposal.
Large type, Braille and audio tape versions of this leaflet are available by calling 0141 287 8777
For further information contact:
M74 Completion Glasgow City Council
Richmond Exchange 20 Cadogan Street Glasgow G2 7AD
Telephone 0141 287 8777 www.m74completion.com
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