US-based engineering services provider Jacobs has been awarded a £162.5m contract from Highways England for work on the Lower Thames Crossing project in the UK.

Under the contract, the company will act as an ‘integration partner’ for collaboration between Highways England and the Lower Thames Crossing’s three main works contracts.

It will not only be responsible for programme management, stakeholder management and risk management but will also support the construction, integrated system commissioning and handover to operations.

The Lower Thames Crossing project is part of the biggest investment in the country’s road network for a generation and an essential component in the UK’s future transport infrastructure.

The work on the project involves the construction of 23km of new road, including twin 2.6-mile-long tunnels between Kent and Essex.

This will almost double road capacity and improve journeys across the Lower Thames Crossing to the east of London.

The project is also expected to create more than 22,000 jobs during the construction phase and will also provide better connections to the region’s ports, distribution hubs and manufacturing centres.

Lower Thames Crossing executive director Matt Palmer said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious road project this country has seen since the M25 was completed nearly 35 years ago. 

“The construction of the crossing will generate 22,000 jobs, and will connect the midlands to the Channel ports providing a boost to the UK economy as part of post-COVID-19 recovery. This contract award is the first step in that journey.”

Highways England stated that it has also invited tenders for the £2bn tunnels and approaches package in November last year.

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What the northern tunnel entrance to the Lower Thames Crossing will look like, in Essex. (Credit: Crown.)