The Highways Agency has chosen Connect Plus as its provisional preferred bidder for the M25 Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract from the shortlist of three construction and finance groups that submitted tenders.

Balfour Beatty has also announced that Connect Plus, a consortium comprising Balfour Beatty (40%), Skanska (40%), Atkins (10%) and Egis Projects SA (10%), has been appointed provisional preferred bidder for the PPP contract to provide additional capacity and maintain the M25.

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Balfour Beatty Chief Executive, Ian Tyler, said: "We are delighted that Connect Plus has been appointed preferred bidder for this important development project for England's motorway network. Our team has all the experience and technical skills to deliver the work on time, on budget and to specification and we look forward to successfully completing the next stage of the tender."

The M25 DBFO contract encompasses the capital works to add capacity to most of the remaining three lane sections of the M25, as well as responsibility for maintaining the motorway and its structures over a 30 year period.

The Highways Agency expects to award the M25 DBFO contract in late 2008.

(JM) (CD)