Esh Construction is to provide infrastructure upgrades to widen the existing A1290 at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

The IAMP is situated to the north of the Nissan Motor Manufacturing plant, adjacent to the A19 with excellent links to the A1(M), and is recognised as a nationally significant project. One of the largest live schemes in the country, it spans 370-acres and is expected to create more than 7,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.

The £6.7 million contract was awarded through NEPO and will be delivered in partnership with IAMP LLP, a limited liability partnership established by South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council to promote and deliver IAMP.

The project will see carriageway upgrade works on the A1290 to dual the existing carriageway between the A1290/A19 junction and just beyond the southern entrance of International Drive within IAMP.

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Esh's Divisional Director, Steven Garrigan, said: "This latest award builds on our successful delivery of the infrastructure for the first phase of IAMP which completed in 2020.

"IAMP is a huge investment by two local authorities which will deliver a world-class destination for advanced manufacturing and create thousands of jobs for the region. We are proud to be creating greater transport access for businesses while helping to support the enhanced economic growth of the Sunderland and South Tyneside areas."

The project will be split across three main construction areas which have been phased to minimise the use of lane closures and temporary traffic lights, with the majority of new 1,550m length of carriageway being constructed off-line before tying it into the existing road infrastructure. Accompanying drainage system works, including the construction of supporting swales and attenuation ponds, as well as street lighting, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and landscaping works will also be delivered.

Two-way traffic flows will be maintained throughout the construction works with some works required under traffic signal control. Traffic management will be monitored during busy shift changes to accommodate adjacent IAMP businesses.

The new dual carriageway is expected to be completed in summer 2025 and will connect the northern area of the IAMP site to a soon to be completed gigafactory and further developments across the site.