A $1.2bn highway construction contract in New Brunswick, Canada, has been awarded to US company Dexter Construction.

The Route 1 Gateway project will see the expansion of the Mackay Highway, valued at $580m, to six lanes, according to thechronicleherald.ca

The Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canadian company will also construct a 55km four-lane highway on Route 1 and another 235km highway.

The highway works are scheduled for completion by 31 July 2013.

Dexter Construction has also won the operating, maintaining and repairing contract worth about $600m over the 30-year lifespan of the project.

A division of the Municipal Group of Companies, Dexter Construction will undertake the contract under the public-private partnership.