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May 2006

Halcrow wins innovation award for M60

On 16 May, Halcrow's work on the M60 widening project was recognised with an Institution of Highways and Transportation (IHT) Award for Innovation, given for 'innovative problem-solving within the highways and transportation industry'.

As designer on the £100-million design and build project for the Highways Agency, the team adapted and re-used three multi-span concrete bridges on the M60 motorway.

According to the award panel, the team's work produced several key benefits, including improved health and safety, reduced disruption to the travelling public, the sustainable re-use of infrastructure and an estimated £2 million cost saving to the project.

One of the UK's largest highways projects, the widened M60 provides essential road capacity along a 7.5km stretch of Manchester's orbital motorway, reducing delays and congestion and improving safety for up to 120,000 vehicles a day. The team picked up the award as part of an Amec/Alfred McAlpine joint venture at a ceremony held at London's Science Museum and compèred by Martin Bell MP.

Project director Jim McAlindin said: "This is a great achievement for the whole team and is due recognition for a highly complex motorway widening scheme. Whilst this award is specific recognition for the bridge adaptations, this was only one aspect of the project where our design solutions made a tangible contribution to its success."

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