Heads of the Valleys Dualling: Supporting Regeneration with Innovative Engineering
The Heads of the Valleys Dualling project is a cornerstone of the Welsh Government’s strategy to drive social and economic regeneration in the region.
The new road traverses the Carno Valley via an embankment of earth, a solution chosen over a viaduct to make use of approximately 250,000 m³ of surplus fill material. This sustainable choice provided both cost and environmental benefits.
To support the embankment, a multi-tiered Reinforced Earth® retaining wall was designed and supplied by Geoquest. Notably, the retaining walls at the north portal of the underpass reach heights of up to 33 metres, making them the tallest structures of their kind in the UK.
The complex design of the retaining walls required expertise beyond standard design codes, necessitating innovative solutions and meticulous detailing to ensure construction efficiency and long-term performance.
Reinforced soil technology was integral to achieving an efficient, sustainable solution for this large-scale project. Key benefits include:
- Precast concrete facing panels with a thickness of just 160mm, significantly reducing material use.
- Lower carbon emissions compared to cast-in-place reinforced concrete walls.
- A nearly 90% reduction in transportation needs, contributing to environmental safety and minimising community disruption.
This project highlights the capability of modern engineering to deliver sustainable infrastructure while addressing complex technical and environmental challenges.
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