Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) has been announced as preferred bidder for the design, construction, financing and operation of a major infrastructure project to complete the Central Scotland motorway network.
The project will complete the motorway network between Glasgow and Edinburgh by upgrading the A8 trunk road between Baillieston and Newhouse to full motorway standards. It also includes work to improve the Raith Interchange and widening key sections of the M8, M73 and M74. It involves construction work on nearly 30 kilometres of motorway, 12 kilometres of new build road and 16 kilometres network upgrades.
The new section of road between Glasgow and Edinburgh will shave up to 18 minutes off journeys at peak times for drivers travelling between the two cities. Work is expected to begin in the next few months and be completed by spring 2017.
SRP is a Ferrovial-led consortium of companies made up of Ferrovial Agroman and Lagan Construction who will deliver the construction elements of the project, Cintra and Amey who will then manage and maintain the road network and Meridiam and Uberior who will provide the essential investment required.
The partnership brings together global infrastructure expertise and construction excellence with a complete operational understanding of the local traffic, liaison and community nuances of the central Scotland motorway network. The consortium has pledged to support hundreds of local jobs, as well as many more in the supply chain.
A spokesperson for Scottish Roads Partnership, said:
“We are delighted to have been announced as preferred bidder to complete the Central Scotland motorway network. Our ambition is to maintain and build on Transport Scotland’s excellence in major infrastructure delivery and network operation. We are committed to keeping the central belt open during construction and minimising disruption to road users whilst we deliver this vital project. We pledge to deliver best value for the Scottish economy by engaging the local supply chain and creating local employment opportunities as well as skills development and training.”