Skanska has signed a contract with National Highways to deliver the A46 Newark Bypass improvement scheme.
The contract will lead to the upgrade of a four-mile (6.6km) stretch of the A46 Newark Bypass, an important route connecting the M1 and Leicester to the A1 and central Lincolnshire, and is identified as a strategically important scheme in the Government’s Road Investment Strategy. The scheme is expected to cost between £400 – £500 million.
Skanska will undertake the design and construction of the widening of the A46 to a dual carriageway, providing two lanes in each direction between the Farndon and Winthorpe junctions. Works will also include the construction of a new five-arm roundabout at Winthorpe and traffic lights at Farndon junction to improve traffic flows during peak hours. A new bridge will be built to take traffic over the A1, and a flyover installed at Cattle Market.
“We’re really excited to be delivering these important improvement works for National Highways,” said Jonathan Willcock, Managing Director of Skanska’s Infrastructure business.
“We have established a collaborative and trusted relationship with our key customer and this contract builds on our current projects at M42 junction 6 and the A428.
“We’ll be working with National Highways and our design partner, Mott McDonald, to bring together a really strong and integrated team, alongside our wider supply chain.
“We’re taking the lead for this project from the preliminary design stage, which enables us to more closely align design, consultation and buildability activities. This will help us to identify opportunities to optimise productivity, reduce cost and carbon emissions and deliver the project safely – while leaving a positive legacy for the local community.”
The works will deliver improved capacity to address traffic congestion on the A46 around Newark-on-Trent and provide better links to the A1 and M1. It will boost productivity and economic growth through providing a more reliable and resilient road network. The scheme is due to open for traffic in 2028.
National Highways senior project manager, Phil Boffey, said: “We’re delighted to have reached a major milestone in the development of the A46 Newark Bypass, with the appointment of Skanska to deliver this much-needed upgrade.
“This scheme will bring relief for the communities enduring the current congestion, as well as drivers using this key trade corridor.
“We are determined to ensure that, as far as possible, the improvements work for the community as a whole and will continue to consider the views of road users and local people as we work with Skanska in the design and delivery of this upgrade.”
Skanska won the project through the National Highways Regional Delivery Partnership (RDP) framework, for which it is a Delivery Integration Partner for the East of England and Midlands regions.
