The Washington State Department of Transportation in the US has awarded a $115m contract to Skanska for the construction of a viaduct in Seattle.

The project will involve the construction of a new 1.3km (0.8mile) viaduct on the southern section of the Alaskan Way on the State Route 99 bypass in downtown Seattle.

Its construction will replace the existing heavily-trafficked road, increasing capacity and improving its earthquake resistance capability.

Skanska USA Building and Skanska USA Civil will begin the work in summer 2010 and will complete the construction in 2013.