Highways England
The project will ensure that the roads are safer, quieter and easier to maintain for the future. Credit: Pexels / Pixabay.

Highways England has awarded two contracts worth £285m ($393m) for upgrading concrete road surfaces across England.

Over the next five years, the state-owned company will work with engineering and construction companies to repair or replace the concrete surfaces of motorways and major A-roads in the country.

The aim is to ensure that the roads are safer, quieter and easier to maintain in future.

Companies contracted for the project include Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, John Sisk & Son, VolkerFitzpatrick, Colas, Dyer & Butler and Tarmac.

In a £218m ($300m) reconstruction framework, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and John Sisk & Son will work on a design and build arrangement to demolish and replace existing concrete road surfaces in poor condition.

Under the £67m ($92m) Lifecycle Extension Works Framework, specialist repairs will be carried out to maximise the life of the existing concrete road surfaces of motorways and major A-roads.

Highways England regional director Martin Fellows said: “Concrete roads have served the country well since they were first built half a century ago.

“They have proved tough and durable over the years, helping every day for work journeys and home deliveries, visits to friends and family, holidays and the movement of the goods and services we all depend on.

“This is the biggest concrete road renewals programme we have ever embarked on and we’re pleased to have awarded the final two contracts that will help us deliver the maximum benefits of safe, reliable and smooth journeys for many years to come.”

The new programme is part of Highways England’s nationwide drive to revitalise concrete roads in England, for which it will invest up to £400m ($551m) over the next five years.

UK Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “Today’s news is fantastic for motorists across the country, bringing thousands of drivers a step closer to smoother and more reliable journeys

“This huge renewals programme, which is part of our £27bn ($37bn) investment in the country’s roads, will help ensure the nation’s road network is fit for the future.”

In July, Highways England committed to investing £114m ($157m) over the following 12 months for road improvement works in the East of England.