Temporary Roadway

Abstract

A mobile temporary roadway ( 10 ) for use in the maintenance and repair of a section of road ( 11 ) comprises an elevated platform ( 14 ), and a pair of ramps ( 15 ), one disposed at either end ( 16 ) of the platform ( 14 ). The ramps ( 15 ) enable vehicular traffic ( 21 ) to access and exit the platform ( 14 ). Supports ( 17 ) are provided to maintain the elevation of the platform ( 14 ) over the road section ( 11 ) to be maintained, such that the vertical separation (a) between the platform ( 14 ) and the road section ( 11 ) is sufficient to enable maintenance work to be carried out underneath the platform ( 14 ). By avoiding closure of the road section ( 11 ), or a lane thereof, during maintenance or repair, the temporary roadway ( 10 ) can be used to minimise or eliminate the disruption caused to the flow of vehicular traffic ( 21 ) during roadworks.

1 . A mobile temporary roadway adapted for use in road maintenance, said temporary roadway comprising:
 an elevated platform having first and second ends;   a pair of ramps, one member of said pair being disposed at each end of said platform, said ramps being adapted to facilitate vehicular access to, and exit from, said platform; and   supports adapted to elevate said platform and said ramps over a section of road, such that the vertical separation between said platform and said road section is sufficient to enable maintenance work to be carried out.   
   
   
       2 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elevated platform comprises two or more conjoined platform portions. 
   
   
       3 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising means for enabling translational movement of said roadway. 
   
   
       4 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said means for enabling translational movement are selected from road wheels, skid plates, compressed air cushions, caterpillar tracks and hover pads. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said roadway is adjustable between a first folded position for transport and a second erected position for use. 
   
   
       7 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the elevated platform further comprises a folding line extending centrally along the length of said platform and adapted to enable said roadway to adopt said first folded position. 
   
   
       8 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supports are hingedly-attached to the elevated platform and the ramps. 
   
   
       9 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of supports are provided at spaced intervals along the elevated platform. 
   
   
       10 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of supports are provided in opposed pairs, one member of each pair being disposed at each side of the elevated platform. 
   
   
       11 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising at least one cross-member, arranged so as to link each support with an adjacent support. 
   
   
       12 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a pair of cross-members arranged in an X-shaped configuration is provided to link each support with an adjacent support. 
   
   
       13 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein each member of said pair of cross-members is hingedly connected to two adjacent supports and to the other member of said pair of cross-members, thereby to facilitate adjustment of said roadway between its first folded position and its second erected position. 
   
   
       14 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the elevated platform and the ramps comprise a structural framework having a plurality of decking panels removably secured thereto. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the structural framework of the elevated platform comprises a pair of longitudinal girders and a plurality of transverse beams, the location of each said transverse beam alone said platform corresponding to the location of a support. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said transverse beams extend beyond the platform to form an outrigger at least one side of said platform. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each beam of said at least one outrigger is linked to an adjacent beam by at least one cross-member. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the portion of each beam forming an outrigger is raised such that the vertical separation between said outrigger-forming beams and the road section is greater than the vertical separation between the elevated platform and the road section. 
   
   
       28 . (canceled) 
   
   
       29 . The temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein adjustment of said temporary roadway between said first and second positions is controlled by hydraulic rams. 
   
   
       30 . A method for minimising disturbance to vehicular traffic caused by road maintenance, said method comprising locating and erecting the temporary roadway as claimed in  claim 1  over a section of road, such that vehicular traffic can pass over said temporary roadway whilst road maintenance work continues simultaneously on the road beneath.