Double the road network without building any "new"

[jonah_1]

I saw a documentary recently about the building of Hong Kongs new airport.

During the program they showed how the doubled the motorway (approx 150km’s) capacity in around 18 months (not sure of exact timings or distances but roughly accurate).

They had a tight time restraint due to the fact that sovreignty was about to go back to the Chinese.

It’s quite simple really they just double decked it along it’s entire length.

It was built using preformed concrete sections (built off site) and during the night they bolted each section to the last.

If they adopted this same tactic in this country we could deal with a number of issues in one fell swoop.

1, easing congestion by literally doubling the actual capacity without digging up any fields or woods etc.

2, speed journeys by putting less junctions on the top deck making it an “expressway” (thus reducing the local junction hopping that goes on currently)

e.g on the M25 just have 10 junctions at M1,M11,A12,A13,M20,M23,A3,M3,M4 & M40 instead of the 31 we have now

3, stop queues at accidents If the center section (central reservation)was a solid wall then nobody could rubber neck but at say 1 mile intervals you have a full height gate (non see through) for the purpose of contraflowing.

The outer sections(alongside the hard shoulder) would still be “open” so fumes could escape without the need for fan assistance

I was just wondering if you thought this was a good idea or if any of you had any other ideas for improvement to the road network that would be a practicle idea

[coffeeholic]

Sounds like a plan.

[mrpj]

I agree the road network needs improving but this scheme wouldn’t be economically viable.

[rob_k]

Excellent idea Sean and more-or-less the same thoughts I’ve had myself for years. However, like Mr PJ says, the costs involved would just be out of this world.

The easy answer is to make all motorways and trunk roads into toll roads : £1 for wagons and £10 for cars. Job sorted.

[tc]

Not for me, sorry

We live in a land of some beauty! We all have a road that we all like and dis-like driving on! I would hang up my keys for sure if we double decked all/even some of the roads! unless it was only the 25 ,then I would vote yes.

[dave_1]

sorry, i think that idea is awful for this beautiful country. the whole of the uk would look like the bronx
maybe we should look at what they done to boston. nearly all roads under ground. not for the whole of the uk but just for some cites. i know it costs money, but what does,nt these days.

[mezzzz1211]

unless it was only the 25 ,then I would vote yes.

Briliant just makes the sides solid and dont put off ramps on it
perfect boundry wall keep the (zb)'s in

[cm]

Its a good idea NSH but to satisfy the environmentalists amongst us , could they not go under the existing roads?.

I know tunnelling cost are prohibitive but to stage form a section, dig it out and insert concrete inserts, then move up and do the next section, well■■?

[mrpj]

CM:
Its a good idea NSH but to satisfy the environmentalists amongst us , could they not go under the existing roads?.

I know tunnelling cost are prohibitive but to stage form a section, dig it out and insert concrete inserts, then move up and do the next section, well■■?

Not just the cost but aren’t long tunnels potentially dangerous i.e the Mont Blanc tunnel fire.

[cm]

mrpj:

CM:
Its a good idea NSH but to satisfy the environmentalists amongst us , could they not go under the existing roads?.

I know tunnelling cost are prohibitive but to stage form a section, dig it out and insert concrete inserts, then move up and do the next section, well■■?

Not just the cost but aren’t long tunnels potentially dangerous i.e the Mont Blanc tunnel fire.

Technology and experience move on, lessons are learned and designs improved, where’s the problem, the only barriers are cost and the political will.