Under the £153m contract, Skanska will complete wide-ranging improvements, reducing congestion, increasing resilience and unlocking economic growth.
The A47/A11 Thickthorn junction is important for commuter, business and commercial traffic, and also provides access to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. It suffers from congestion and needs upgrading to facilitate planned residential and commercial development.
The scheme includes construction of a new 1.6km free-flow link road, connecting the A11 northbound to the A47 eastbound via two new underpasses.
A second c.1km local link road will also be constructed, connecting Cantley Lane South with the B1172 Norwich Road. It will feature a modular bridge spanning the existing A11 and new free-flow link road to the A47. Skanska will also build two new junctions on the local road network, widen the existing slip road on the A47 westbound and remove an existing footbridge – replacing it with a new one for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.
Skanska is working closely with design partner Sweco. The scheme will include construction of five new structures, entail more than 3km of utility diversions and, at peak, will employ more than 300 people.
The National Highways scheme is backed by over £200m of government funding.
“We have worked collaboratively with National Highways to develop the design and scheme budget to ensure it meets the overall cost envelope for the project,” said Andrew English, Executive Vice President, Skanska UK.
“Our focus on cost, while ensuring we can deliver the full benefits of the scheme safely and on programme, has been key to our approach. It’s a great outcome that has been achieved as a result of our trusted working relationship with National Highways, developed over more than two decades.
“We’re now looking forward to moving into main construction, delivering these much-needed improvements that will generate long-lasting benefits for the region."
Enabling works have started, with main construction scheduled to begin Q3 2025/26 and the scheme open to traffic in 2028/29.
National Highways Programme Leader Alistair Stout said: “Improving the junction at Thickthorn is great news for local people and those who regularly work or travel in and around Norwich.
“By investing in these upgrades, we’re helping to unlock economic growth in the area with reduced journey times, congestion and transport costs for businesses, as well as making the road safer for all users.”
Skanska is currently working on a number of improvement schemes for National Highways, including at M42 J6, A428 – where a new a new 10-mile dual carriageway is being built – and the A46 Newark bypass. Skanska is also delivering the Kent roads section of the new Lower Thames Crossing.