Britain’s most expensive road project is underway: a £1bn stretch of motorway will link the historic city of Cambridge with the commuter mecca of Milton Keynes.
But at a cost of around £1bn, it will be Britain’s most expensive road construction project, costing a staggering £100m per kilometre. The motorway is due to open in 2027.
Crossing from Cambridgeshire into Bedfordshire, the A428 upgrade overseen by National Highways will link the two markedly different urban areas.
Cambridge is home to the world’s third oldest university and is famous for its punting on the River Cam, while Milton Keynes has repeatedly featured in lists of the UK’s ‘worst cities’ and is well known for its large number of roundabouts.
The new 10-mile dual carriageway, between the Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire and the Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire, will reduce congestion and improve safety, according to National Highways.
According to The Independent newspaper, the number of vehicles using the A428 is expected to increase from 25,300 per year currently to more than 32,000 by 2040.
A number of junctions along the route will also be improved, as will St Neots railway station.
Speaking last year at the start of the project in December, then Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “I am delighted that we have marked the start of work on the A428 Black Cat project at Caxton Gibbet, a huge investment by the Government to grow the region’s economy and reduce congestion for drivers.
“This government is supporting drivers by investing in much-needed road projects like this, using savings from HS2 to resurface roads across the country and introducing a long-term plan for drivers to crack down on anti-car measures.”
Nicola Bell, National Highways’ executive director of major projects, said the start of construction on the A428 was a “momentous event”.
Speaking about the project last year, she said: “As we break ground today, we are embarking on a journey that will transform transport in this region, reducing congestion, improving connectivity and driving economic growth.
“This project underlines National Highways’ commitment to delivering major projects that have lasting impacts for people, communities and businesses.
“The start of construction represents the culmination of careful planning, collaborative efforts and an unwavering commitment to improving the country’s infrastructure.”