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Skanska has been named because the most well-liked bidder on a £450m roads contract for the Lower Thames Crossing megaproject.
It is miles the 2nd of three major contracts to be awarded by National Highways for the planned street tunnel crossing the Thames Estuary between Kent and Essex.
Maintaining nearly four miles of recent street and buildings, Skanska’s contract will bring the southern share of the route connecting the A2/M2 to the tunnel strategy.
In January, Balfour Beatty won a £1.2bn kit on the venture to design roads on the north of the River Thames. A contract to design the tunnels and approaches is expected to be awarded later this year.
Skanska beat competitors from three other bidders: Costain; a joint enterprise between Kier and Eiffage; and a JV comprising Bam Nuttall, Ferrovial Constructing and Vinci Constructing Grands Projets.
The contract will additionally consist of green bridges for plant life and fauna, a brand recent public park and recent or improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The work remains field to the Lower Thames Crossing being granted a pattern consent advise (DCO) from the Planning Inspectorate – required for major infrastructure projects – and the authorities signing off its £8bn funding.
The plot’s utility for a DCO was once licensed in November. Over the next six months, the utility shall be “thoroughly examined by a panel of self ample, authorities-appointed consultants”, National Highways mentioned.
The roads physique conceded earlier this year that it wants recent know-how to carry out its climate targets for the venture.
The plot was once among those recently delayed by two years by transport secretary Model Harper. While the authorities “remain[s] committed” to the venture, he mentioned, the strategy to obtain pattern consent was once a possibility to “consult additional to ensure there is an efficient and deliverable conception”.
If planning consent is granted, the six-year enhance duration is expected to originate in 2026.
Lower Thames Crossing procurement director Katharina Ferguson mentioned: “Skanska has a be conscious epic of offering innovative low-carbon choices to projects, and leaving a exact legacy of abilities and innovation in the local neighborhood.
“We peek forward to working together to bring this desperately wanted portion of recent infrastructure in a mode that pushes the boundaries in low-carbon enhance and social charge.”
