Amey Consulting and Arup have won the £45 million contract to upgrade the UK’s A66 Northern Transpennine route. The partners were awarded the package by Highways England and the work will help improve the A66. The firms will handle design development of the upgrade programme and transition into a Technical Adviser role. They will work alongside Highways England during detailed design and construction, once the scheme gains consent.
The A66 is a trans-Pennine link that connects Scotch Corner on the A1(M) with Penrith on the M6. This is the most important route between east and west in the north of England. Its position means that it carries high levels of freight traffic (25%); more than double the national average. It is also important for tourism, giving access to the Lake District and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The route upgrade programme will dual the remaining six single carriageway sections of the A66 between the M6 and A1(M), improving journey times, and safety.
The work will boost capacity and reduce delays at the M6 J40 and A6/A66 junction (Penrith) and at the A1(M) / A66 junction (Scotch Corner).
It will also improve strategic regional and national connectivity, connect key employment areas of Cumbria, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear and improve access to key tourist destinations such as the North Pennines and the Lake District.
Amey Consulting and Arup have previous experience of collaborating on large highways contracts. The team are currently working together to design the dualling of a 42km section of the A96 in Scotland following a £50 million contract award in 2017.
