VINCI wins a contract to build “smart” motorway sections in England

22 July 2015 - 8:00 am - New contracts - United Kingdom

Highways England, the government-owned company responsible for managing the core road network in England, has awarded a contract to convert a section of the M5 southwest of Birmingham into a “smart” motorway to a joint venture in which VINCI’s subsidiaries VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Taylor Woodrow hold 40% and Balfour Beatty 60%. This first contract, with a value of €65 million, is part of the Smart Motorways Programme (SMP) introduced by Highways England. It is designed to add extra capacity on around 18 km M5 motorway section between junctions 4A and 6 from 3 to 4 lanes by making smart use of the hard shoulder. The project also includes real-time management of traffic flows according to traffic density. Sensors send information to a control centre that is able to modulate speed limits via dynamic signage. The improved traffic flow will benefit thousands of motorists per day.

The works package (package 1) also includes two other projects to be carried out during the coming five-year period (the M6 motorway between junctions 2 and 4, and the M4 between junctions 3 and 12). Subject to statutory approval and continued value for money, the M6 is expected to start work in 2017/18 and the M4 scheme in 2016/17 at an estimated combined value of up to €803 million. Final target costs for these contracts will be agreed with Highways England.

VINCI offers acknowledged expertise in complex roadworks. Its track record includes slip road widening at M1 junctions 25 to 28 in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2010, the East End Crossing motorway section in the U.S. state of Indiana, currently under construction, and the New Coastal Highway on Reunion Island, also under construction.

 

About VINCI
VINCI is a global player in concessions, energy and construction, employing 280,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, we are committed to operating in an environmentally, socially responsible and ethical manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. Based on that approach, VINCI’s ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general.