The United Kingdom government has approved a plan of $ 13 billion to build a new road connection across the Thames River east of London, with a Recommendation made to the Secretary of State for transport Heidi Alexander on March 20. The lower crossing of the Thames will include a 14 -mile -long road that connects Kent and Essex through what will be the tunnel on the country’s longest road.
The Government’s decision opens a way to develop detailed design and construction plans. The second phase of the effort, the detailed design and the six -year construction period is expected to begin next year.
“We are ready for the shovel and we have our delivery partners on board and today’s decision allows us to work with the Government in funding and begin the detailed planning that will allow us to begin construction as soon as possible,” says Matt Palmer, National Chief Executive Director of the Lower Thames Crossing roads.
When built, the new road will link the A2 and M2 to Kent with A13 and M25 to Thurrock. The project includes a 2.6 mile underground section with a couple of tunnels running under the Thames. Each tunnel will host three lanes of traffic.
The Lower Thames Crossing delivery team includes a joint bouygues/Murphy company that manages tunnels and approaches, Balfour Beatty building the roads north of the Thames and Skanska for Kent’s roads.
The new road is aimed at reducing traffic to the congested Blackwall tunnel in east London, the Dartford Crossing, the only crossing of the road to the east of the Thames to the east of the city.
