Highways England has awarded a contract for preparation work on the planned Lower Thames Crossing, potentially worth up to £200m over 10 years.
The deal, which is worth an initial £3.5m, has been won by a joint venture called LTC Cascade, made up of the engineering and programme management company CH2M, design and consultancy firm Arcadis and tunnel and bridge specialists COWI.
Chris Taylor, Highways England director of complex infrastructure said: ‘A new Lower Thames Crossing will unlock massive economic potential for people in Essex, Kent and the whole UK.
‘We need to have a world class team to ensure that the project we end up taking forward will deliver its full potential, and our technical partner will help us do just that. I’m delighted that LTC CASCADE have been appointed to this vital role and I look forward to working with them to deliver this crossing and its legacy for Britain.’
A spokeswoman for Highways England said the contract could be worth between £100m and £200m over its lifetime.
The contract started on Friday 6 May 2016 and will run for 10 years.
The Lower Thames Crossing proposals would connect Kent and Essex. Highways England has now closed a consultation on its plans. Responses are being analysed and will be incorporated into its recommendation to government. A final decision from the Government is expected later this year.
