Skanska announces an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) award from Dorset County Council to carry out the design and construction of the A354 Weymouth Relief Road, worth around £40 million.
Under the ECI, the project will be undertaken in two Phases. In Phase one, Skanska and its design partners, Owen Williams, will work with Dorset County Council to develop the scheme and support the Council during the statutory process.
Phase two, the construction phase, is due to begin in early 2008, with completion scheduled for 2011.
The scheme, designed the relieve congestion along both the A354 from Weymouth-Dorchester and the A353 to the east and surrounding residential areas includes:-
• 10km of single carriageway, by-passing Broadwey, Upwey and Dorchester Road, linking the A354 Manor roundabout near Radipole to the A354 at the top of the Ridgeway Hill.
• Construction of nine road bridges, one over the Weymouth to Dorchester railway line.
• Improvements to the existing single carriageway running between Preston and Littlemoor
• Provision of a park and ride facility to accommodate 1000 cars.
• Creation of a nature conservation area at Lorton Valley
• New pedestrian, cyclist and equestrian facilities
• Landscaping and planting adjacent to the new road.
Bill Hocking, Managing Director of Skanska UK’s Civil Engineering Operating Unit said: “This scheme will benefit the local community and ease congestion as well as provide an important transport link for the sailing events in 2012.”