27 April 2017 – Global infrastructure services firm AECOM has secured a contract with the Welsh Government to deliver design services for the new third crossing of the Menai Strait. Under the contract, AECOM will undertake the Key Stage 2 Appraisal of options to identify and develop initial designs for a new bridge crossing that will link Anglesey with mainland Wales, with a view to identifying a preferred route.

AECOM will deliver a range of multidisciplinary services, including bridge and highway engineering, transport planning, traffic modelling and environmental and ecology consultancy services. AECOM will work with its sub-consultants Knight Architects and Ruthin-based environmental consultancy Richards, Moorehead & Laing Ltd.

A third Menai crossing will alleviate traffic on the two existing bridges over the Menai Strait. The Menai Bridge, built by Thomas Telford in the 1820s and Robert Stephenson’s Britannia Bridge suffer from heavy congestion. The Britannia Bridge is also the only section of the A55 that is not dual carriageway and can be a significant bottleneck for traffic along the route, which links the M53 with Holyhead Port and is part of the Trans European Road network.

The aim of the scheme is to improve capacity, reliability and journey times along the route, as well as improve network resilience and opportunities for non-motorised users and safety. AECOM’s services will include a review of the potential impact of the proposed scheme on the two historic bridges to develop a design that minimises impact on the environment and is sympathetic to the existing crossings.

Dave Beddell, Highways Director – Europe, AECOM, said: “A much-needed third crossing on the Menai Strait will keep traffic moving along the strategic A55, helping to boost economic growth in North Wales and Anglesey. AECOM brings a breadth of experience in the delivery of major bridge and highway infrastructure to take this exciting project to its next stage of development.”

Work on the project starts immediately and follows AECOM’s previous work in 2016 to develop a strategic business case for the scheme.

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