Webinar: Value Enhancement on Civil Engineering Schemes

Eastern Green, Coventry​, ​A45 HIF Works

Background ​

• The A45 is a strategic highway linking Coventry & Birmingham​
• Dual carriageway, national Speed limit route​
• Urban environment with significant constraints​
• Traffic flows necessitated a grade separated junction for primary access

Scheme Involves​

• C. 2km of new highway with associated drainage​
• Three new roundabouts, slip roads with the A45​
• A new bridge over the A45​
• 4 no. culverted watercourse crossings​
• Utility diversions​
• New service supplies to serve future phases

Constraints ​

• Areas of Flood Zone 2 and 3 – Pickford Brook​
• Extensive utilities within the A45 corridor​
• Two no. extra high voltage over head lines​
• Existing vegetation ​
• Great Crested Newts​
• Badgers​
• Archaeological finds​
• Prevailing site levels

Value Engineering: Practical Measures for Cost and Time Efficiency

Breheny’s value engineering strategy focused on identifying practical, cost-saving measures that also support long-term sustainability and efficient delivery. For earthworks, all fill material was sourced from a borrow pit located on land designated for future sports pitches, preserving development potential while reducing import costs. In drainage, the use of UPVC materials for sewers accelerated installation and reduced build time. Precast concrete elements, including manholes and culverts, further streamlined construction, while negotiations with the Environment Agency enabled the removal of free-span bridges, simplifying structural requirements. Bridge design was refined by reducing span and width, and incorporating weathering steel and integral bridge structures-both of which require minimal maintenance and eliminate the need for painting or bearings. Street infrastructure was also optimised by reducing the use of passively safe lighting equipment and avoiding unnecessary street furniture such as fencing and signage, contributing to a cleaner and more efficient urban environment.

Integrated Approach to Infrastructure Delivery: Breheny’s Collaborative Model

Breheny’s early involvement in the design phase of infrastructure projects has proven instrumental in enhancing construction feasibility and cost-effectiveness. By working closely with design teams from the outset, Breheny ensures that selected solutions are practical and economically sound, streamlining the transition from design to construction.

Strategic Design and Environmental Efficiency

Key examples of Breheny’s value-driven approach include the culverting of watercourses as an alternative to bridge construction, and early utilities and site investigations. These measures enable the use of site-won materials for earthworks, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

Quarrying, testing, and validating site-won aggregates for permanent works significantly reduce lorry movements on major roads such as the A45, lowering carbon emissions and minimizing disruption to local traffic.

Comprehensive Scope and Stakeholder Engagement

Breheny’s scope encompasses earthworks, drainage, road construction, structures, lighting, signage, attenuation ponds, and habitat creation. The company excels in managing interfaces with Coventry City Council, local businesses, and residents, ensuring smooth coordination and minimal disruption.

Co-location of client and delivery teams fosters real-time collaboration, while the programme is meticulously developed during tender and value engineering stages. Time risk allowances are built in for contractor-held risks, and constraints such as ecological factors and major events (e.g., the Commonwealth Games) are proactively considered.