HPR win contract on £260m New Tyne Crossing
- Published: 27 June 2008 11:09
- Author: Rhiannon Hoyle
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 27 June 2008 11:12
- Reader Responses
Capital project consultant HPR has been appointed lead designer on the £260 million New Tyne Crossing project.
The firm - formerly known as High-Point Rendel - won the contract from the French-owned Bouygues Travaux Publics, which is delivering the major infrastructure scheme.
The New Tyne Crossing will deliver a second two-lane vehicle tunnel under the River Tyne to ease traffic congestion. The project also includes the refurbishment of the current Tyne Tunnel to bring it up to modern safety standards.
HPR said its role would include design coordination – including design of highway works, tunnel, bridges and buildings – and the management of approvals and consents.
Transportation and infrastructure sector leader Vardy Jones said: "Delay is not an option, which is why we will focus on solid and detailed management to help deliver the crossing on time and on budget."
The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority was granted the necessary powers by the Secretary of State for Transport in July 2005 to build the second vehicle tunnel alongside the existing Tyne Tunnel.
Bouygues Travaux Publics was appointed to finance, design and construct the crossing last November.
The new tunnel will run under the River Tyne between East Howdon and Jarrow, and will complete the dualling of the A19 from its junction with the A1 in South East Northumberland to North Yorkshire.
Construction work is expected to start during spring. The new tunnel is scheduled for completion in 2010, and refurbishment of the existing tunnel should be finished in late 2011.
