The project forms an integral part of Highway’s England’s Road Investment Strategy and will focus on identifying improvements to this 50-mile strategic transport corridor between the M6 and A1(M) motorways.

Arcadis will be focusing on delivering design, traffic, economic and environmental assessments across the route.

Transport links across the Pennines are limited, with the A66 representing the most direct route between the Tees Valley, Yorkshire, East Midlands, East of England and Cumbria, Glasgow and much of central Scotland.

The route is significantly under-utilised, with a poor safety record and only intermittent sections of dual carriageway adding to traffic volume and journey times.

Steve Davies, Project Director at Arcadis, said:  “The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme will play a major role in establishing more effective connections, ensuring safer and more reliable journey times between our key cities and ultimately supporting wider regional growth and prosperity.”