Skanska and joint venture partner Ames Construction have secured a $244m contract from Riverside County Transportation Commission to build express lanes on the I-15 freeway in California, US.

Ames is a full-service heavy civil and industrial general contractor, which is involved in performing construction works across a wide range of industrial sectors in North America. 

Skanska will retain $146m of the total contract amount as its share. 

The project will see construction of two additional express lanes in each direction, covering a distance of 23.5km, and drivers will have the option to access, as well as exit the tolled lanes at multiple locations. 

"Construction works will begin next year and are expected to be complete by mid-2020."

Under the deal, Skanska and Ames Construction will be responsible for building a series of sound walls along the project corridor, as well as widening the existing bridges in order to add new express lanes.

Upon completion, the transportation commission anticipates that the project would improve I-15 between Cajalco Road and State Route 60 in southern California.

Construction works will begin next year and are expected to be complete by mid-2020.

Skanska is a global construction and project development firm, which has been executing civil infrastructure projects developing commercial properties in select US markets. 

With a workforce of nearly 9,300 employees, Skanska also offers its services in public-private partnerships.