Highways England has begun engagement as part of its search for design and build contractors to help deliver its A66 Northern Trans-Pennine upgrade.

According to the first prior information notice, Highways England said it plans to put the project into four packages of work. These packages range in value from £94 million up to £361 million. The overall value of the design and build contract has been estimated at £771 million.

The £1 billion project will see an underpass being built, junction improvements and five new bypasses.

The notice states: “We have a huge road investment programme to deliver and want to engage with suppliers to inform our approach to procuring our larger national infrastructure projects. Supplier feedback and providing the opportunity to influence project and procurement development is extremely important. Highways England is currently developing its strategy for the appointment of design and build contractors for the project. As part of developing the strategy, we would like to obtain information from the market to assist in its development.”

Interested parties are urged to complete a supplier engagement questionnaire by the start of September.

The prepared route for the project was announced in May with Amey, working with Arup, being responsible for the design development of the upgrade programme.