STOKE A500 UPGRADE WORKS

The following pictures show the progress of works in Stoke to create a tunnel to allow boats to bypass the major junction upgrade which has just started here. The two roundabouts in Stoke town centre are to be replaced over the next 3(?) years by flyovers. The junction shown below will require a diversion of the canal, almost back to it's original course as I understand (though I've not seen the plans.) The second junction will not require any major disruption to the canal as far as I'm aware, but I will keep an eye on things...

The first two pictures show the stoppage between the lock and the southern end of the new tunnel. These were taken on 14th Feb 2004.

(Click on any picture to display a larger version)

A week later, 21st February, and the first sections of the tunnel are in place:

By 28th February all the corrugated metal sections have been bolted together and they are starting to fill with sand around the outside of the new tunnel:

By March 13th, all the sand has been put in place and bedded down, entrances to the tunnel have been constructed and the canal is open again.

Watch this space....