A2/M2 list unveiled

Four contractors have been shortlisted to bid for the only major publicly funded road scheme to go out to tender this financial year - the £150 million A2/M2 widening project near the Medway towns in Kent.

Given the size of the scheme the line-up contains no surprises. Tarmac has opted to go it alone despite the increased risks design and build schemes can bring. The old pairing of Amec and Alfred McAlpine has secured a place on the shortlist.

Costain is also in the running, teaming up with its now usual partner on large projects Skanska, with the addition this time of John Mowlem to the joint venture. The final bidder is the Autolink consortium of Amey, Taylor Woodrow and Sir Robert McAlpine.

Documents will be issued in mid-January 1999 and are due back in mid-June. Work is not expected to start until the autumn. The construction period will be around 42 months. The job will be constructed to the Highways Agency's own design and build contract.

The scheme involves the widening of a 17km length of the A2/M2 on the outskirts of the Medway towns.

One part of the contract comprises widening the section between Cobham and Junction 3 of the M2 from dual three-lane carriageway to dual four-lane carriageway.

The stretch between Junctions 3 and 4 will be widened to dual three-lane carriageway.

The other key structural elements of the project include major road and bridgeworks at Junctions 2 and 3 of the motorway, the construction of a new bridge over the River Medway to carry London-bound traffic and modification to an existing bridge across the Medway to handle coastbound traffic.

The project coincides with work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and construction work on the two schemes will have to be carefully coordinated to minimise disruption to the public.

Tender proposals will have to include details on how the winning contractor will liaise and coordinate its activities with the contractors working on the rail link to ensure minimal disruption.