---
title: "Lower Thames Crossing - Tunnels and Approaches"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "HIGHWAYS ENGLAND"
published: "2020-11-17"
---

# Lower Thames Crossing - Tunnels and Approaches

Buyer: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8.json)

## Summary

Highways England is currently engaged in the tendering process for the "Lower Thames Crossing - Tunnels and Approaches" project, which entails the design and construction of two major highway tunnels beneath the River Thames. This project falls under the construction industry category and is located in the East of England and South East regions of the United Kingdom. The procurement method is selective, employing a Competitive Dialogue Procedure, with the tender period set to conclude on 23rd December 2020. The contract, valued at approximately £2.3 billion, is scheduled to start on 12th May 2022 and finish on 31st December 2027.

This significant opportunity is ideal for large construction firms with expertise in tunnel engineering and infrastructure projects, as well as those capable of managing complex construction contracts under the NEC4 framework. Companies looking to expand their business in the construction sector should consider participating in this tender, particularly those with the capacity to handle large-scale projects and a proven track record in similar works.

## Notice

The contract is to design and construct two highway tunnels beneath the River Thames and will be procured under the Competitive Dialogue Procedure. The contract will be based on the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) form of contract. The scope includes the portal buildings, approach roads, the tunnel controls systems (MEICA) and a five year landscape maintenance and aftercare contract. At circa 16 metres in diameter, these tunnels will be some of the largest bored tunnels in the world. Each tunnel will feature a three-lane carriage way. Each tunnel will be circa 4km in length. The contract also includes portal structures and approximately 1km of approach roads from each portal connecting into the two neighbouring roads contracts.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/178838ad-ad74-4ae6-9851-cac58b92e2a1 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive dialogue (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Nov 2020 |
| Submission deadline | 23 Dec 2020 |
| Future notice date | 31 Mar 2019 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 11 May 2022 - 31 Dec 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,300,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HIGHWAYS ENGLAND |
| Locality | BEDFORD |
| Post town | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode | MK40 2TP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLH24 Bedford |
| Local authority | Bedford |
| Electoral ward | Harpur |
| Westminster constituency | Bedford |
| Delivery location | TLI London, TLJ South East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 45000000 - Construction work

## Release History

- 17 Nov 2020 at 13:57 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/178838ad-ad74-4ae6-9851-cac58b92e2a1
- 11 Feb 2019 at 16:39 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1240f65b-6de8-4271-87d6-07874a85cf63
- 11 Feb 2019 at 14:50 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1240f65b-6de8-4271-87d6-07874a85cf63

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/178838ad-ad74-4ae6-9851-cac58b92e2a1
  17th November 2020 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1240f65b-6de8-4271-87d6-07874a85cf63
  11th February 2019 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder
- https://ted.europa.eu/TED/notice/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:56978-2019:TEXT:EN:HTML
  Link to PIN
- https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:549440-2020:TEXT:EN:HTML
  OJEU Notice

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84b50ea0-338b-4e50-95fc-ab62193cfaf8.json.
