A £75 million Highways Agency scheme that will see improvements made to the A63 in Hull has been awarded to Balfour Beatty.
The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) design and build contract will see Balfour start work on the A63 Castle Street – a 1.5km scheme in the centre of Hull – in 2016/17.
The project will see journey times improved for road users through conversion of a major interchange into a split level junction with a two-lane dual carriageway carrying east-west traffic below north-south traffic in a new 400 metre underpass.
The scheme will also include two new bridges which will link the south and north of the city for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled users.
Under the ECI contract, Balfour Beatty will manage detailed design and development and assist with statutory consultations for the improvements which, if successful, will enable it to begin construction in 2016/17.
The ECI form of contract has been used on several occasions by the Highways Agency to enhance the value for money of its schemes through start to finish responsibility for contractors, allowing for continuous engagement with local communities and earlier resolution of environmental and design issues when compared to traditional contracts.
Nicholas Pollard, Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK chief executive officer, said: “This award to improve journey times on the main route through Hull builds upon our 20 year portfolio of work for the Highways Agency and our extensive experience of successful delivery of ECI contracts including the recent A3 Hindhead Tunnel and A46 Newark to Widmerpool projects through which we were able to deliver substantial cost efficiencies to the Highways Agency.”
Roads Minister John Hayes said: “This proposed major improvement scheme for Castle Street, which comes as part of the government’s record investment in roads, is great news for Hull’s drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who will see dramatic and positive changes to their journeys.
“This is all about meeting the needs of a major growing city, creating jobs which will benefit the economy for years to come.”
