A partnership comprising Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Costain, Keltbray and Kier will work on the upgrade of a section of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route in the UK. The £1.3 billion package of works was awarded to the partners by National Highways.

The project remains subject to approval from the Secretary of State in 2023. The work involves dualling the remaining 29km stretch of the route featuring a single lane in either direction. The key junctions between the M6 Junction 40 at Penrith and the A1 at Scotch Corner will also improved under National Highways’ Delivery Integration Partnership Framework.

Once the improvement work is complete, the upgraded A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route will reduce delays and queues and boost the performance of key junctions such as the A66/A6 and the M6 Junction 40. In addition, the improvement works will improve connections for drivers in the area.