Transport minister Lord Hendy, on behalf of secretary of state for transport Heidi Alexander, has approved a development consent order (DCO) for the 拢500m project, which gives the formal green light has been given for the scheme to tackle congestion on a trade corridor through the East Midlands.
Skanska was awarded a 拢345m contract for the main聽construction works聽in August 2022 for this job and is standing by to start construction. However, there is now a six-week period in which parties can lodge legal challenges, and no start date yet.
A National Highways spokesperson said: 鈥淚n the coming months, National Highways will work with the Department for Transport (DfT) to identify the most efficient and cost-effective delivery timetables for this project, as part of the process of setting the next Road Investment Strategy. An update on timings will be given next year. 鈥�
The third road investment strategy period (RIS3) starts on 1st April 2026 and runs to 31st March 2031 but, despite recent publication of a national infrastructure strategy, is currently still only in draft form.
The A46 Newark bypass connects the M1 and Leicester to the A1 and central Lincolnshire.聽 This scheme will upgrade a 6.6km stretch around Newark in Nottinghamshire from single to dual carriageway.
The scheme will include construction of a flyover at the Cattle Market roundabout for the A46 to pass over the junction, a new bridge over the A1 and enlarging Winthorpe roundabout and installing traffic lights to connect the new A46 link.
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