The proposed road tunnel on the A303 highway in Wiltshire, England, could be twice as long as originally planned, if plans put forward by the National Trust are accepted by the Government.
Rather than the original 2km long, US$271M cut and cover tunnel, that would bury the road out of sight of the visitors who visit Stonehenge, the National Trust wants the government to consider plans that include a more expensive 4km bored tunnel.
The Highways Agency, which owns the road, priced the contract on the cost of a cut and cover tunnel, but insists that decisions on the final design will not be made until the end of this year. The plans will then have to be put before a public enquiry, scheduled for autumn next year.
The Joint Venture, between Balfour Beatty and Costain, has been invited to look at the various options as part of the ECI (early contractor involvement) project. Other partners in the scheme include: the Highways Agency, which owns the road; the National Trust, which owns the land; English Heritage, which owns the stones; and the Government.
Mott MacDonald was appointed design consultant.
Stonehenge is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and is among the most sensitive archaeological sites in the world.
