I-140 Wilmington Bypass project

Balfour Beatty’s infrastructure unit, part of Balfour Beatty Construction Group in the US, has secured a new £77m I-140 Wilmington Bypass project.

Under the new contract, Balfour Beatty will build 1.5 miles of a four-lane road in the south-east counties of Brunswick and New Hanover, on behalf of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The construction work comprises ten bridges, including six twin bridges and a bridge over the Cape Fear River in North Carolina.

The 7,185ft-long bridge over the Cape Fear River will run along a wetlands area and requires careful ecological management.

The company will access the bridge construction through a temporary work trestle in order to mitigate temporary wetland impacts while offering safe access for the workers.

“The construction work comprises ten bridges, including six twin bridges and a bridge over the Cape Fear River in North Carolina.”

Balfour Beatty CEO Andrew McNaughton said that the Wilmington Bypass represents further evidence of the improving outlook for the company in the US.

“This project win perfectly fits our skill set in the US where we have broad experience with these types of jobs and an outstanding record working on projects that require exceptional environmental stewardship and sustainable practices,” McNaughton added.
A part of Wilmington Bypass programme, the 54-month project is scheduled to begin in October 2013 and complete in April 2018.

The project is vital in reducing the traffic from Brunswick County into the City of Wilmington, as well as reducing overall traffic congestion in the Wilmington area.

Once completed, the I-140 Wilmington Bypass project will ease traffic flow and improve local economies.

Image: I-140 Wilmington Bypass project will reduce overall traffic congestion in the Wilmington area. Photo: courtesy of Balfour Beatty plc.