Esh Construction has been appointed to provide infrastructure upgrades to widen the existing A1290 at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in North East England.
The IAMP is situated to the north of the Nissan Motor Manufacturing plant, next to the A19, and is recognised as a nationally significant project. One of the largest live schemes in the country, it spans 370 acres and is slated to create more than 7,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.
The project will see carriageway upgrade works on the A1290 to dual the existing carriageway between the A1290/A19 junction and just beyond the southern entrance of International Drive within IAMP.
The project will be split across three main construction areas, which have been phased to reduce the use of lane closures and temporary traffic lights, with the majority of new 1,550m length of carriageway being constructed off-line before being tied it into the existing road infrastructure.
Accompanying drainage system works, including the construction of supporting swales and attenuation ponds, as well as street lighting, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and landscaping works will also be delivered.
Esh said two-way traffic flows will be maintained throughout the construction works with some works required under traffic signal control. Traffic management will be monitored during busy shift changes to accommodate adjacent IAMP businesses.
The £6.7m contract was awarded to Esh through NEPO (North East Public Buying Organisation) and will be delivered in partnership with IAMP LLP, a limited liability partnership established by South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council to promote and deliver IAMP.
Esh’s divisional director, Steven Garrigan, said: ‘This latest award builds on our successful delivery of the infrastructure for the first phase of IAMP which completed in 2020.
‘IAMP is a huge investment by two local authorities which will deliver a world-class destination for advanced manufacturing and create thousands of jobs for the region.
‘We are proud to be creating greater transport access for businesses while helping to support the enhanced economic growth of the Sunderland and South Tyneside areas.'
Sunderland City Council leader Michael Mordey said: ‘This upgrade to vital highways infrastructure will further increase the attractiveness of this key strategic site, which brings together land in both Sunderland and South Tyneside as part of the North East Investment Zone.’
Stuart Wright, director of place and communities at South Tyneside Council, added: ‘This investment in highways infrastructure is key to opening up the Northern Employment Area at IAMP, as we continue to develop this key site in partnership.’
The new dual carriageway is expected to be completed in summer 2025.
