Success for Balfour Beatty JV as Britain’s Biggest Road Project to Open Early

Britain’s biggest road project – the A14 – is set to open to drivers more than half a year early. The A14 joint-venture delivery team is comprised of Balfour Beatty, Costain and Skanska working on behalf of Highways England.

The £1.5-billion scheme is designed to improve journeys between the East of England and the Midlands. Works commenced in November 2016 and, with a previous completion date of winter 2020, is now due to open six months early in spring 2020.

To open the scheme early, the integrated delivery team focused on innovative and sustainable construction methods. With the use of digital asset management and an in-field visualization software, the team planned and designed complex routes in a safe and efficient way. In line with their commitment to sustainability, the project has also reduced its environmental impact by planting over 900,000 trees, using local materials and recycling excess soil for use on nearby embankments.

Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’Sullivan said, “The A14 is a vital route used by 85,000 drivers every day and including more than 21,000 haulers transporting essential goods around the country.”

This announcement follows the recent December opening of part of the 21-mile scheme – a new 12-mile bypass south of Huntingdon – a year early. Already, the bypass has been used to make more than five million journeys.

The new Swavesey Junction with its landmark pedestrian and cycle bridge.