A lead-design contract for Highways England's A38 Derby Junctions scheme has been awarded to AECOM, which as lead designer will oversee multidisciplinary services to develop the scheme towards submission of a Development Consent Order. This latest project award adds to a number of other major contract wins for AECOM in UK highways – demonstrating a breadth of expertise, the company says.

The A38 Derby Junctions project involves remodelling three heavily-congested at-grade junctions on the A38 west of Derby. Grade-separated junctions will be built by constructing new underpasses at Kingsway and Markeaton and a major new flyover will be built at Little Eaton. Highways England's outline programme for the project is aiming at construction starting in 2020.

AECOM's other recent highways contract wins include extension of existing work on the A47/A11 Thickthorn and A47/A12 junction improvement projects. Both schemes are being refined for taking design options forward to public consultation and preferred route selection. AECOM has also been appointed to act as asset-design consultant for Highways England's Areas 6 and 8 maintenance contracts in East Anglia and East of England. This special arrangement, procured through the Collaborative Delivery Framework, has been set up for two years after Amey's Asset Suppoprt Contract was terminated late last year.

These commissions follow AECOM’s appointment to develop the designs for the M62 junctions 10-12 and M6 junctions 21a-26 smart motorway schemes. AECOM highways director, Europe, Dave Beddell, said: “These latest contract wins highlight the breadth and capacity of the multidisciplinary services AECOM is able to bring to vital highway maintenance and improvement programmes. With the majority of work delivered from offices local to the project locations, our teams will work collaboratively with Highways England and our supply chain partners to provide long-term benefits for road users across the country.”