Skanska is delivering £507 million worth of improvements to upgrade the A428 between the Black Cat and Caxton Gibbet roundabouts in Cambridgeshire with a new 10-mile dual carriageway. This scheme for National Highways will deliver significant benefits to road users and the local community by improving journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

Skanska is responsible for the design and build of the scheme, which will involve upgrading the route running from the Black Cat roundabout near St Neots to Caxton Gibbet. The route is the only remaining stretch of single carriageway between the M1 near Milton Keynes and Cambridge.

There are also a number of junction improvements which include several new bridges spanning the carriageway and river, plus a new three-tier junction at Black Cat roundabout which will allow free flowing traffic onto the A1 and the new dual carriageway. The scheme includes safe crossing points for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and reconnections for disrupted rights of way.

Lasting benefits

The improvements scheme will transform one of the busiest road links in the East of England, helping drivers who live, work and travel in and around Bedfordshire and Cambridge to save an hour-and-a-half on their journeys every week. It will improve safety and cut journey times by up to a third, while helping to unlock economic growth in this fast-growing region.

Skanska is leading the project, working in close collaboration with design partner Mott MacDonald and customer National Highways. Skanska won the work through the National Highways Regional Delivery Partnership (RDP) framework, for which it is a Delivery Integration Partner for the East of England and Midlands regions.

This project builds on our long-standing and trusted relationship with National Highways, through which we have delivered many successful projects. This includes recent improvements to the A14 that were delivered eight months early and at M1 J19.

The A428 scheme aims to continue working with our stakeholders to support local businesses, inspire future careers, increase local employment opportunities and to upskill the local community.