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Contractors building the roads serving the Lower Thames Crossing have launched three new early-stage tenders as the project moves ahead following government approval last week.
Last week, transport secretary Heidi Alexander granted development consent to the UK’s largest ever road tunnel, which will connect Kent and Essex.
Balfour Beatty and Skanska were appointed in 2023 to deliver the roads connecting the tunnel to the existing network, have wasted no time in seeking specialists for enabling work.
Yesterday, Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering issued a contract notice for a ground investigations package for the northern roads section of the scheme.
The works will include geotechnical and environmental surveys, soil sampling, groundwater and ground gas testing, and data analysis.
The contract, which is expected to run from 16 July 2025 to 16 March 2026, will also involve intrusive and non-intrusive investigations both inside and outside landfill areas.
On the southern side of the river, Skanska Construction UK is seeking contractors for two packages of works linked to the Kent roads section.
The first involves the removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials identified during surveys, in compliance with Health and Safety Executive regulations.
A competitive quotation procedure is being used to procure the contract, which is set to run from 5 May 2025 to 29 August 2026.
Bidders must hold an HSE licence, ISO 9001 certification and ensure operatives have relevant Lantra or CSCS qualifications and Highway Passports.
The second Skanska tender covers ecological habitat creation east of Thong, near Gravesend.
Species translocation, fencing works, pond construction, topsoil treatment, and tree and bush planting are included in the scope.
Ecological checks will be required to mitigate the impact of activities on protected species and habitats.
This package, also procured using a below-threshold quotation process, is planned to follow the same timeline as the asbestos removal contract.
The Lower Thames Crossing is being delivered by National Highways.
The £9bn scheme includes twin-bore tunnels under the River Thames and new roads linking the M25 near Brentwood to the A2 east of Gravesend.
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