Three Irish firms are among the six groups of contractors fighting it out for the tender for a £113m million road construction contract in Northern Ireland. The job of upgrading the A8 dual carriageway between Belfast and Larne has attracted six groups from the Republic, Northern Ireland and UK contractors, as well as a Spanish company. Among those competing for the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) design and construct contract are Roadbridge, John Sisk and Siac. The full line-up is Roadbridge/John Sisk; Galliford/Siac; Costain/Lagan/Ferrovial; Farrans/Graham; Balfour Beatty/FP Mccann; and a joint venture of Wills Brothers/Clarke. A project source told Contract Journal: “The contest [for the contract] is sure to be a cut-throat affair. “Not only is local pride at stake, but in these gruelling economic times, firms will be under great pressure to work up a winning price." Work is planned to begin in early 2012 and should be completed around three years later. In August, Transport Minister Conor Murphy announced the preferred route for the proposed dualling of the 14km section of the A8 between Ballyclare and Larne in Co Antrim. The project includes the construction of 14 bridges. When the preferred contractor is chosen by Northern Ireland’s Department for Regional Development , statutory procedures for the project, including a public inquiry, will take place before work on the road begins. Firms competing for the scheme are due to return tenders later this year. |
