Skanska has been named as the preferred bidder in a £450m road contract for the Lower Thames Crossing mega-project.
It is the second of three major contracts awarded by National Highways for the planned road tunnel crossing the Thames Estuary between Kent and Essex.
Covering almost four miles of new roads and structures, the Skanska contract will deliver the southern part of the route connecting the A2/M2 with the tunnel approach.
In January, Balfour Beatty a £1.2 billion package in the road construction project north of the River Thames. It is expected that a contract for the construction of the tunnels and approaches will be awarded at the end of the year.
Skanska beat the competition from three more bidders: Costain; a joint venture between Kier and Eiffage; and a JV formed by Bam Nuttall, Ferrovial Construction and Vinci Construction Grands Projets.
The contract will also include green bridges for wildlife, a new public park and new or improved paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The work remains subject to Lower Thames Crossing having a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Planning Inspectorate, required for major infrastructure projects, and the Government signing off on its £8bn funding.
The scheme’s application for a DCO was accepted in November. Over the next six months, the application will be “thoroughly examined by a government-appointed panel of independent experts”, National Highways said.
The road body acknowledged earlier this year that it needs new technology to meet its climate goals for the project.
The scheme was among these recently delayed two years by Transportation Secretary Mark Harper. As long as the government “stands[s] committed” to the project, he said, the process to obtain development consent was an opportunity to “consult further to ensure there is an effective and deliverable plan”.
If planning permission is granted, the six-year construction period is expected to start in 2026.
Lower Thames Crossing procurement director Katharina Ferguson said: “Skanska has a track record of delivering innovative low carbon solutions to projects and leaving a real legacy of skills and innovation in the local community.
“We look forward to working together to deliver this much-needed new infrastructure in a way that pushes the boundaries of low-carbon building and social value.”
