1 Jul 2008

A Highways Agency scheme on Teesside, improving safety on the A66 dual carriageway between Stockton-on-Tees and Darlington and the village of Long Newton, has been officially opened by Transport Minister Tom Harris.

Interserve Project Services was responsible for construction of the £12 million grade-separated junction, comprising a new bridge over the A66 west of Long Newton and slip roads connecting the A66 to the local road network.  A new road was also built to the south of the A66, linking the villages of Elton and Long Newton.  This configuration has removed the need for local traffic to use the A66 and provides a safer means of joining and leaving the A66 via the new slip roads.  The new junction also improves access to Durham Tees Valley Airport.  The scheme began in March 2007 and the junction was fully open to traffic this May – some three months ahead of planned contract completion.

Interserve’s Infrastructure Director, Simon Ohlenschlager, said:  “We have been delighted to help the Highways Agency deliver this scheme to create safer roads for users of the A66 and, of course, the local communities of Long Newton and Elton, who have been tremendously supportive of our work.  And we’re very pleased to have completed this project both ahead of programme and within budget.”

The A66 scheme has also proved an invaluable source of information on sustainable project delivery for Interserve.  Over the duration of the contract, the site’s carbon footprint has been measured utilising the Environment Agency’s carbon calculator to measure materials delivered (excluding recycled content), accommodation usage and journeys to and from site by all personnel.  It is hoped that the data gathered can be used as a benchmark to set future targets for materials sourcing, to promote focus on local resources and to increase sustainability awareness.