Skanska has been given the go-ahead by the Highways Agency to build the 10-kilometre A63 bypass in Selby, North Yorkshire, in a contract worth £42.6 million.
Skanska saw off competition from four other contractors for the bypass, which will reduce traffic through Selby by diverting the A63 from the west of Thorpe Willoughby to the north east of Selby. Work is set to start later in the month and be completed by autumn 2003. High Point Rendel is responsible for the design.
One striking feature of the bypass will be a 100-meter Swing Bridge over the River Ouse. The contract also includes associated roads, six junctions and six bridges, with up to 100,000 new trees being planted along the route as part of extensive landscaping.
The bypass is the second to be awarded to Skanska in two months. In May it was given the £12 million contract to build the 5.6 kilometre A6 Great Glen bypass in Leicester.