The project will dual the single-lane carriageway on the A417 between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout in Gloucestershire.
A new junction at鈥疭hab鈥疕ill will provide a link from the A417 to the A436 towards Oxford and into鈥疊irdlip. Another new junction will be put in near Cowley, replacing the existing Cowley鈥痳oundabout.
Kier鈥檚 team will include Volker, Arup, Tony Gee and RPS to prepare for and construct the 3.4-mile route.
Kier won the 拢160m main works contract following a competitive procurement process through National Highways鈥� regional delivery partnership framework. It completed a budget setting process with National Highways earlier this year.
The project still requires development consent 鈥� the Planning Inspectorate is examining the application. On conclusion of the examination in May, the Planning Inspectorate will send its recommendation to the secretary of state for transport, who will be expected to 聽make a final decision in the autumn.
National Highways project director Michael Goddard said: 鈥淜ier has an extensive track record working with National Highways and delivering large scale infrastructure projects, so we are confident they will deliver a scheme that meets our landscape-led vision. We will work together to deliver a project that is sympathetic with the special character of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty and will support economic growth, improve traffic flows at peak times and make the road safer.鈥�
Councillor Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, added: 鈥淚鈥檓 really pleased we鈥檝e reached this key stage of this vital project. After such a long wait, it really feels like the solution for the 鈥榤issing link鈥� is much closer to becoming a reality.
鈥淐ompletion will bring improved safety and air quality along with more reliable journey times leading to huge benefits for our county鈥檚 economy as well as creating new habitats and habitat connections for native wildlife.鈥�
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