Roadworks in the Tamási area were completed months ahead of schedule

They were working on a road with a variable width

One of the distinctive features of the renovation was that the work was carried out whilst maintaining a road width with a varying cross-section. The project had to be carried out within the expropriation boundary, i.e. on the available road area. Thus, the entire 2,165-metre section was modernised with a carriageway width of 4.5 metres over 50 metres, 5 metres over 1,765 metres,
and then 4.0 metres over a further 350 metres.
This constraint also influenced the organisation of the works, as the milling, widening and asphalting operations had to be precisely coordinated across the sections of varying widths.

They went from milling to kerb construction in three stages

The STRABAG project was divided into three main phases. First, the milling of the asphalt surfaces and the construction of the widened carriageways were carried out: this phase began on 30 March and ended on 1 April. This was followed by the construction of the new asphalt surfaces. In the third phase, the kerb construction works were carried out.

The key to durability lies in the bonding between the layers

One of the main technical challenges of the project was to ensure that the new asphalt layers bonded securely and durably to the old road surface whilst retaining the existing road structure. To this end, the experts at STRABAG carried out profile milling along the entire section. The milled, rough surface provides better adhesion for the new bonding course, which was further reinforced by bitumen emulsion treatment.

Asphalt reinforcement grids were used on sections subject to heavy traffic

Asphalt reinforcement grids have also been installed in areas subject to heavier traffic. These have been fitted at points where agricultural machinery, vehicles or buses turn. The solution strengthens the bond between the binder course and the wearing course, and can help ensure that the surface remains more durable even in areas subject to heavier loads.
A total of 2,550 tonnes of asphalt is being used in the project, with the material supplied by the Litér asphalt mixing plant.

The construction of kerbs is also crucial for drainage

The renovation does not stop at the new layers of asphalt. The long-term condition of the road surface is greatly influenced by how the kerb and the edge of the road surface drain rainwater. Kerb repair, trimming of sections that have built up on the crown, and filling in worn-out, washed-out sections are key ancillary works of the project. The construction of drainage ditches is not part of the current project.

Revised plans

The design of the verges was also modified during the project. At the request of MÁV Zrt., a contract amendment was made to replace the originally planned earth verge with a crushed stone verge along the entire length. The change was necessary to ensure that buses could pass each other safely when pulling over, and to provide sufficient manoeuvring space when overtaking other vehicles. Tibor Kerecsényi added that a properly compacted crushed stone verge is also a better solution in terms of drainage: there is less risk of erosion, so rainwater can be drained away more safely. At the junctions with dirt tracks, the aim was also to protect the edges of the surface, so milled asphalt or crushed stone is used for backfilling to prevent agricultural machinery from compacting or breaking the new edges.

Traffic was restricted to the time strictly necessary

During the organisation of the works, the STRABAG team endeavoured to minimise disruption to traffic in the area. Two-way traffic was maintained using traffic wardens to direct traffic during the milling, widening and kerb-laying works. However, during the asphalting phase, a full road closure was in place on the affected section for four days, between 7 am and 6 pm, whilst the binder and wearing courses were being laid. During this time, traffic – including public transport – was diverted onto alternative routes.

They may be able to reopen the road months earlier

Some of the materials generated during the project were recycled on site. The milled asphalt was used to fill in the washed-out verges, whilst the excavated soil was used to level the areas outside the verges.
According to the current schedule, the renovation of the Kecsegei inter-village road was completed months ahead of the contractual deadline.
The rural section renovated under contract STRABAG has been given a new layer of asphalt, reinforced kerbs, a tidier verge and safer traffic conditions, whilst continuing to serve local, agricultural and bus traffic.