Balfour Beatty has won a £26M contract to design and build a 2.5km guided busway in Bristol as part of the £200M MetroBus project.
The firm will start designing the busway this month with preliminary works to begin soon. Main construction works are expected to commence in June and be finished by October 2016.
The busway is part of the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads section of the MetroBus scheme. The contract – awarded by Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council – includes construction of a new 200m long skew bridge over Portishead railway line.
A new cycling and pedestrian path will also be built alongside the route.
Councillor Mark Bradshaw said: “We’re pleased to announce the contractor for the MetroBus guided busway and are looking forward to working with Balfour Beatty.”
“The MetroBus network will link key areas through a modern public transport network that is faster and more reliable than current bus services.”
Balfour Beatty Wales & West managing director Martyn Osborne said: “We have pioneered the use of slip-formed concrete for guided busways which provide bus passengers with a smooth and reliable journey.”
“Balfour Beatty is committed to spending with small and medium-sized businesses and local firms. We’ll be recruiting local supply chain partners and engaging with local colleagues to encourage opportunities for learning. We’ll also be working local businesses and residents to carefully manage the impact of construction.”
Welsh contractor Alun Griffiths was awarded a £19M design contract for a second section of guided busway known as the South Bristol link in October. This has now been upgraded to a design and build contract following full approval for the scheme.
A spokesperson for MetroBus said separate contractors will be appointed for works at Ashton Avenue Swing Bridge, Bathurst Basin bridges and Bristol city centre and these will be announced as soon as possible.
