Sheffield City Council has confirmed Amey as preferred bidder for its £2 billion highways maintenance contract.Amey beat Carillion/Mouchel to the contract and will now take responsibility for improving and maintaining 1,900km of road, 68,000 streetlights, 500 traffic signals, 600 bridges and other structures, 2,400 retaining walls and 35,000 highway trees across the city.The contract will see £2bn worth of improvement and maintenance works undertaken as Amey embarks upon a five year renovation programme to upgrade the city’s highways infrastructure - it will then work to maintain it for the duration of the 25 year contract.Mel Ewell, Chief Executive for Amey, said: “We’re extremely excited about delivering a major overhaul of Sheffield City Council’s road assets bringing them up to standard appropriate of a modern European city."We look forward to using our knowledge, experience and skills across our multi-faceted organisation to improve the city’s highway infrastructure for the benefit of all those who use it.“Being announced preferred bidder on this contract is a major achievement and a testament to Amey’s unique tender solution that is designed to transform the city in line with Sheffield City Council’s future vision.”Amey is set to create almost 170 new jobs in the city and up to 500 Sheffield City Council staff will TUPE over to Amey once the contract starts. They will also be seeking local Sheffield businesses as their preferred supply chain partners.John Mothersole, Chief Executive for Sheffield City Council, said: "I am delighted that after a long and rigorous procurement process, Amey have been selected by the Council as the preferred bidder to transform the whole streetscene for the next 25 years."The project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to refurbish the roads, pavements and streetscene across the whole city and is a key priority for Sheffield City Council."We will continue to work closely with Amey over the coming months to ensure they are fully geared up to begin the improvement works on the highway network later in the year."Ewell added: “We’re pleased that through this contract we’ll be able to contribute to the social and economic regeneration of Sheffield through the creation of jobs, skills and training opportunities."Amey has made a pledge to take on apprentices and graduates, as well as sourcing and partnering with local suppliers as part of our long-term commitment to the city alongside implementing significant infrastructure improvements.”