Halcrow undertook the detailed design for widening 7.4km of motorway. Significant geotechnical factors included poor ground conditions and over 12 licensed waste landfill sites which resulted in a need for extensive ground improvement. Techniques adopted included lightweight polystyrene fill, stone columns and load transfer platforms.

For its work on this project, Halcrow (jointly with its client and the Highways Agency and Pennine Vibropiling) received the Fleming Award for Excellence in Geotechnical Design and Construction in 2005 as a finalist.