A13

Construction firms Balfour Beatty and Skanska are set to carry out improvements to the junction where the A13 meets the M25 in Essex, UK, as part of a £55m contract.

UK Highways Agency project manager Lizzie Pauling said: "Appointing a contractor is an important step in making this vital upgrade a reality.

"Improving this busy junction will deliver real benefits for the many thousands of drivers who use it every day, and help unlock multi-billion pound regeneration for the Lower Thames Valley."

Under the plans announced by the agency, the A13 through the junction will be widened to four lanes in each direction, and improvement of slip roads to and from the M25 will also take place.

"Our Balfour Beatty Skanska construction joint venture is a highly successful collaboration that has delivered many schemes around the M25."

Main construction work on the project, which will support the UK Government’s National Infrastructure plan, is expected to begin early 2015 and funding for the same was announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement.

Balfour Beatty joint venture board member Phil Clifton said: "Our Balfour Beatty Skanska construction joint venture is a highly successful collaboration that has delivered many schemes around the M25.

"The Junction 30 scheme will benefit from a project team, which already has extensive knowledge of the M25 and this busy intersection and which has a proven ability at offering sustainable and innovative solutions for the Highways Agency."

Directly serving the Port of Tilbury, the M25 Junction 30/A13 corridor is said to be a key entry point to Thurrock and south Essex.

During peak times, the corridor suffers from significant congestion.

Preliminary work on the project is already underway and is slated for completion by 2017.

Image: The A13 through the junction will be widened to four lanes in each direction. Photo: courtesy of UK Government.