The £24m project will provide an extra lane in each direction between junctions 7 and 9, where congestion is exacerbated by freight travelling to and from the port of Felixstowe.
Mott MacDonald said that its design retains as many existing features as possible and minimises the use of large construction plant. This includes retention of drainage, safety barriers and lighting within the central reserve where possible and new concrete retaining structures, which will be filled with excavated material from site so extra material does not have to be brought in.
Mott MacDonald project director John Bowes said: “Our innovative solutions were developed at tender stage with the joint venture, reducing the cost of construction which was a major contribution to winning the project. The challenge now is to undertake the works within a constrained traffic corridor while minimising disruption to the travelling public.”
Mott MacDonald’s design is due to be finished by the start of 2014, initial construction work on the scheme is due to begin in autumn 2013 and be fully completed by spring 2015.
The contracting joint venture was appointed in June 2013.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
