Balfour Beatty wins contracts worth US$480m

Balfour Beatty Construction Inc (BBCI), Balfour Beatty's US civil engineering subsidiary, has won six major civil engineering contracts in the US valued at $480m.

Balfour Beatty chief executive Mike Welton said: "These new awards further extend our presence in US transportation markets, as federal and state expenditure on improving the US transport infrastructure increases."

The largest of the contracts is the $113m scheme to widen part of the Route 405 in Culver City in the greater Los Angeles. The project, which involves widening 26 bridges and placing over 70,000 cubic metres of retaining wall concrete and concrete pavement, is to be
completed in 37 months.

BBCI is to widen Route 15 between Escondido and Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) in two contracts totalling $150m, also to be completed in 37 months.

In Washington State, BBCI has won an $83m contract for the rehabilitation and extension of the Downtown Seattle Bus Terminal for Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. The project, scheduled for 27 months' duration, will deliver key modifications to the existing bus tunnel and four underground stations.

In Texas, an $84 million project has been won for the upgrade of SH121 in Collin
County. This project, awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation, is for
the part reconstruction of of SH121 and SH289, replacing the existing interchange to a three-level interchange, divided frontage roads and main lanes, bridge demolition and construction, storm sewer installation, and retaining walls. The project is due for completion in January 2008.

Finally, the Maryland Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to BBCI in excess of $48m for improved safety and congestion relief at MD450 in Prince George's County.