Balfour Beatty has secured a £104 million contract to complete works on the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NNDR) project.

The contract was awarded by Norfolk County Council.

A new 19.6km dual carriageway will be built, including nine new roundabouts, seven new bridges, an underpass and a more complex two level junction.

The route will run from the A1067 Fakenham Road, crossing the A140 at Norwich International Airport and joining the A47 at Postwick, at the eastern end of Norwich Southern Bypass.

Over 500 workers will be employed on the project at its peak.


Balfour was awarded the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase of the NNDR scheme in 2009 and has since then been assisting the council with design development, construction feasibility advice and development of the scheme's target cost.

The firm is already working on the £27m Postwick junction project, which will join the NNDR with the A47 trunk road.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: "This project draws on Balfour Beatty's expertise in successfully partnering with local authorities to deliver large, complex infrastructure projects. We have extensive proven experience of major road schemes, from the ECI phase through to concept and construction programme development and a strong relationship with Norfolk County Council having collaborated on this project over the last six and a half years.

"The NNDR will significantly improve the Norwich and Norfolk road network, providing real benefits to local communities, businesses and the travelling public as well as supporting regional economic growth."

Construction on the NNDR is to begin this winter, with completion scheduled for late 2017.

(LM/MH)