Highways England is undertaking market engagement on the A66 Northern TransPennine road project, valued at £771m according to a prior information notice released last week.
Initially assigned last year by the Government at a value of £1bn, the project will link the A1(M) Junction 53 at Scotch Corner with the M6 Junction 40 at Penrith, as well as making other as yet unspecified improvements along its length.
The project will also enhance road capacity at the junctions either end of the new upgrade.
Highways England is said to be developing its strategy for the appointment of design-and-build contractors for the lucrative contract, according to the notice.
The Government agency described in the notice: “We have a huge roads investment programme to deliver and want to engage with suppliers to inform our approach to procuring our larger national infrastructure projects.
“Supplier feedback and providing the opportunity to influence project and procurement development is extremely important.”
A market engagement questionnaire has also been released as part of this stage of the project, as well as outlining its intention to host a virtual supplier event in September. Contractors have been asked to register their interest in either the questionnaire or the event with Highways England.
Speaking about the project last year, then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling described how the road upgrade would not only shorten drivers’ journey times and ensure there was a safer and more reliable route across the Pennines, but it would also help the Government make positive steps towards its commitment to empower business opportunities across the Northern Powerhouse, from the Midlands to the Scottish Lowlands.
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