Highways Agency launches £2bn managed motorway framework

The Highways Agency has released details of its nationwide managed motorways programme, designed to enhance the capacity of the country's motorways.

It is anticipated that £2bn will be spend over the four year life of the hard shoulder running projects.

Since it came up with the idea of using the hard shoulder to increase capacity, rather than building more lanes, the Highways Agency has been working out how to procure the schemes. It has now advertised, on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), for a framework of three or four contractors to carry out the work nationwide.

The framework contract will involve the installation, testing and commissioning of hard shoulder running schemes and improvements to junctions and adjacent trunk roads. It includes the construction of gantries, modifications to existing structures, installation of communications infrastructure and associated equipment.

It is unlikely that the framework will be used for other major highways projects, which will continue to be early contractor involvement schemes, but it will include some link road and hard shoulder reconstruction.

Commenting this morning CECA National director Rosemary Beales said:

“The Civil Engineering Contractors Association welcomes the publication today of an advert for the Highways Agency’s Major Projects framework.”

“Investment in the UK’s road network is vital if we are to combat congestion. A fast moving and efficient transport network that keeps pace with demand is essential if the UK is to overcome the current downturn and is a key ingredient in delivering sustainable economic growth for the future. Managed motorways schemes will reduce congestion and provide a solid flow of work for the industry.”

“We look forward to finding out more detail about the specific details of the Highways Agency’s proposals in due course.”

Read the full OJEU here.