£3 million revamp project for crucial Shrewsbury junctions
Companies are being invited to bid for a £3 million contract to carry out major works on Shrewsbury's roads.
Shropshire Council has opened up a tender process for work, which is required as part of its £12 million Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package.
The scheme involves significant changes to five of the town's busiest junctions – including major alterations to Meole Brace roundabout.
The deadline for submissions is August 15, and the contract expected to last 11 months at an estimated value of £3 million.
In a tender description the council said: "The contract is for the delivery of civil engineering works at five key junctions within Shrewsbury which form the initial element of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package.
"The works are intended to alleviate congestion, reduce delay and improve journey reliability times. The improvements have also been designed to maximise pedestrian and cyclist benefits at each junction including safety improvements."
The work features a number of changes to Reabrook roundabout, including widening the approach and resurfacing. There will be major changes to Meole Brace roundabout with a road cut through the centre of the roundabout to link Roman Road directly to Hereford Road.
On the English Bridge there will also be significant changes with the road altered so it is only single carriageway on the way out of the town centre.
At Longden Coleham and Coleham Head a mini-roundabout will replace the current priority junction, with a raised zebra crossing put in to provide priority for pedestrians.
Sutton Park roundabout will see resurfacing of the existing kerb lines and changes to the pedestrian crossing facilities.
The scheme also includes a refurbishment of pedestrian areas of the town such as Pride Hill, although they will not be covered by the tender.
Councillor Simon Jones, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This package will provide a wide range of economic benefits for Shrewsbury and a real boost to the town centre, by removing traffic from the town, and improving things for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists."
Matt Johnson, strategic transport and contracts manager at Shropshire Council, said the work will cut down on the amount of traffic which needs to go through the town.
The work is being funded with £6 million from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, and £6 from developer contributions under the community infrastructure levy and section 106 payments.
