Kier’s estimated price for constructing the project rose from £15.8m to £26.2m during the two-stage design and build process.
Cambridgeshire County Council is now going back to the open market with Kier’s detailed design for the King’s Dyke project in Whittlesey.
The planned 1km bypass on structural embankments will connect Peterborough and Whittlesey, with a bridge over the Peterborough-Ely railway line.
The selected contractor will be free with approval from the authority to improve the design.
The authority will engage with value engineering exercises but warned that existing planning consent, site and technical constraints should be all upheld in any amended proposals.
It is expected that a contract will last for two years with the successful bidder hoped to start by May 2020.
Regional procurement specialist Local Government Shared Services is handling the contest on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. Prequalification documents are available from the ProContract portal or contract Jon Collyns by email.