Highways England has started the search for specialist drainage contractors to join its smart motorway alliance programme, in a move that will see cost efficiency savings for the project.
It will award two companies with contracts for each of its three delivery regions. This would mean any tier 2 companies would work with Costain in the northern region, with BAM Nuttall/Morgan Sindall joint venture in the Midlands and Balfour Beatty in the southern area. The framework on offer will run for five years.
Work will include the removal of existing drainage systems, barriers systems and any other associated site clearance or earthworks. Contractors will also be involved at an earlier stage in the design, development and pre-construction planning of the smart motorway programme, according to Highways England.
To register interest firms need to email Highways England along with valid in date Constructionline Certificate, Achilles or Common Assessment Standard Audit certification. Highways England said it was aiming to name successful firms before 29 April, with any prequal documents need to be returned by 15 February.
