Road restoration project worth millions announced by Highways England to transform deteriorating concrete highways
Highways England Announces Major Investment in Concrete Roads
In a significant move to improve England's motorway and major A-road network, Highways England has announced two contracts worth £285 million for upgrading the concrete surface of roads across England.
Over the next five years, Highways England will work with several leading engineering and construction companies to repair or replace the concrete surface of motorways or major A roads in England. This investment is part of Highways England's nationwide drive to revitalize concrete roads in England and is in line with the Government's second Road Investment Strategy.
Up to £400 million will be invested over the next five years for this purpose. The two contracts awarded today are for Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and John Sisk & Son, and VolkerFitzpatrick, Colas Ltd, Dyer & Butler, and Tarmac.
The Lifecycle Extension Works Framework worth £67 million has been awarded to VolkerFitzpatrick, Colas Ltd, Dyer & Butler, and Tarmac for specialist repairs to maximize the life of the existing concrete road surfaces. Simon White, Highways Director at Dyer & Butler, expressed delight at being awarded multiple lots on the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework.
Meanwhile, the Reconstruction Framework worth £218 million has been awarded to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and John Sisk & Son for a design and build arrangement to demolish and replace concrete road surfaces. Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, expressed delight at being awarded a place on the Reconstruction Framework.
Nick Culshaw, Managing Director, UK Civils & Rail, John Sisk & Son, expressed excitement about being selected for the concrete road renewals program, while Paul Fleetham, managing director of Contracting for Tarmac, expressed pride about being awarded a place on the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework.
Pierre Feuerstein, Director of Operations South for Colas Ltd, expressed honor at being part of the prestigious concrete roads program. John Cox, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick's Rail and Infrastructure business, also expressed pleasure at being appointed by Highways England for the Lifecycle Extension Works Framework.
Concrete roads make up nearly 400 miles (4%) of England's motorway and major A-road network. Most of these roads were built during the 1960s and 1970s. The programme includes plans to recycle and reuse materials wherever possible.
A Centre of Excellence has been established to coordinate innovative ways of renewing these roads. This investment is a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of England's road network.
The first contract for the revitalization of concrete road surfaces was awarded earlier this year to infrastructure and engineering companies AECOM and Atkins. Leading engineering and construction companies involved in the long-term program for repairing or replacing concrete surfaces on highways or main roads in England are likely to include experienced firms specialized in traffic infrastructure, often part of large groups with extensive expertise in civil, road, and engineering construction.
The £39 million Design Framework will see the companies provide design, supervision, and project management services. This announcement marks a significant step forward in Highways England's commitment to maintaining and improving England's road network.
