Costain & Balfour Beatty/Skanska JV compete for £91.3m M25 scheme

Only two groups have responded seriously to the Highways Agency's call for expressions of interest for a high profile refurbishment job on the M25.

The contest for the £91.3m Bell Common Tunnel scheme, between junctions 26 and 27, will be between Costain and a Balfour Beatty/Skanska joint venture.

The tunnel job has to be finished within 64 weeks, with the winning contractor needing to work 24/7 to get the work done on time.

The ECI contract is due to be awarded in May, but as yet there is no firm site start date.

The scheme centres on upgrading the 470m-long tunnel's ventilation, lighting, fire safety systems and communications equipment, plus improving emergency access.