The public inquiry stage for the ambitious scheme to re-route a section of the M4 motorway has now been completed and a decision on whether to proceed to detailed design is anticipated shortly.

Planned bridge for M4 Corridor around Newport project

A £185m package of enabling works has been identified at the Port of Newport to deliver the proposed route and new bridge.

This will involve some of the port’s existing marine operations and port’s tenants being relocated to new facilities.

The works include detailed designs of port buildings, civil infrastructure, dredging and marine structures.

These will be carried out under the M4 CaN Docks Enabling Works contract in advance of, and separate to, the main motorway works.

Procurement chiefs are planning to hold an Industry Day to introduce the project to the market and also to assess market conditions for tendering for the works and packaging of the project.

Interested parties should register their interest by emailing Transport Procurement and requesting an information pack.

Under the present plan an opening invitation to tender is due to be published at the start of July.

A joint venture between Costain and Vinci scooped an early contractor involvement deal five years ago for the massive scheme.

Since then there has been growing concern about the high risks and associated costs of delivering the 24km scheme, which includes a 440m span cable stay bridge south of Newport.

It was originally believed the project could be delivered for £400m, this rose to around £1bn a few years ago and it is now understood latest cost estimates are up to £1.3bn