Following an 18 month period of accelerated Early Contractor Involvement, Walters have commenced major earthworks on a Highways England contract for the A160/A180 port road at the Immingham Improvement scheme near Grimsby in North Lincolnshire.

The aim of the project is to provide better access to the Port of Immingham and the surrounding area, to stimulate growth, reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and is a key strategic route which currently experiences congestion along the single carriageway section due to the very high proportion of heavy goods vehicles.

The scheme includes upgrading a single carriageway section of the A160 to a dual carriageway, the construction of a new road bridge and improvements to Brocklesby Interchange as well as a bridge slide beneath the existing rail line which will take place over 48 hours on Christmas /Boxing Day.

During the ECI phase of the project, Walters proposed the introduction of adjacent borrow areas as an alternative to importing the large volumes of material required. The pits would then be fully restored by re-filling with material unsuitable for highway construction. This proposal was adopted by Highways England and will reduce the number of road haulage deliveries to the site by over 25,000.

In view of its contribution to the economic growth of the region, and in support of the Government”s National Infrastructure Plan, the scheme was selected as one of the Highways Agency”s accelerated delivery projects. Main Contractor, Costain is responsible for the overall design and construction, which is valued at £80 million.