Highways England is developing plans to fully dual the remaining single carriageway sections of the A66 which links the M6 at Penrith in Cumbria and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire.   

The project involves dualling the remaining 18 miles of the 50-mile route.

Highways England senior project manager Matt Townsend said: “The A66 northern trans-Pennine project will be one of the biggest infrastructure investments ever delivered in the north of England. “ 

“This is the first contract we’ll be awarding as the project moves towards the design and statutory processes phases.

“The successful supplier will work closely with us to help deliver the best design for the transformation of this trans-Pennine route.”  

 A study into improving northern trans-Pennine routes was commissioned as part of the first 2015 to 2020 Road Investment Strategy period and completing the dualling of the A66 was chosen as the option to take forward.    

In July 2017 Arcadis Consultancy (UK) was appointed to help Highways England deliver initial options phases as part of the company’s project control framework. 

This included delivering a two-month consultation across the route on the different options for the remaining single carriageway sections of the A66 route. 

With the design tender process moving forward, Highways England will be unveiling the designs for dualling the remaining sections in its preferred route announcement next Spring.

It is hoped construction work can start before the end of the second 2020 to 2025 Road Investment Strategy period.  

More information is available from the OJEU notice.