HS2, the developer and promoter of the UK’s new high-speed rail network, has shortlisted nine bidders for civil engineering work between London and Crewe, worth up to £11.8bn.
The company also issued invitations to tender for up to £900m worth of enabling works and started procurement for several million trees along the line.
According to HS2, these contracts will contribute to the creation of 14,600 jobs and apprenticeships across the UK.
It is reported that at least one package each will be given to shortlisted bidders.
These include Align Joint Venture comprising of Bouygues, VolkerFitzpatrick and Sir Robert McAlpine; ASL made of Acciona Infraestructuras, John Sisk & Son and Lagan; BBV including Balfour Beatty and VINCI BeMo; Catalyst (Bechtel) and the CEK joint venture of Carillion, Eiffage and Kier.
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By GlobalDataAdditional bidders include Fusion, which includes Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall and Ferrovial Agroman; LFM comprised of Laing O’Rourke, FCC Construccion and J Murphy and Sons; Momentum Infrastructure that includes Dragados, HOCHTIEF and GallifordTry); and SCS comprised of Skanska, Costain and STRABAG.
Seven civil engineering contracts covering 140 miles from London to Birmingham are expected to be signed next year with the start of work onsite scheduled for 2018.
HS2 noted the companies, which provide best results in terms of value and efficiency, will be eligible to bid for work on an additional 40 miles between Birmingham and Crewe that is scheduled to open in 2027.
HS2 chief executive Simon Kirby said: "Over the next ten years, HS2 will help create tens of thousands of job opportunities, build specialist skills and expertise across the country, and create at least 2,000 new apprenticeships.
"Together with our suppliers, we will create these opportunities, while continuing to push for the best value and long-term efficiency that will be essential to delivering this transformational project on time and on budget."
In addition, HS2 invited seven joint ventures to formally tender for enabling work, preparing sites for the start of construction and carrying out essential pre-construction activities such as utilities diversions and archaeological surveys.
UK Department for Transport (DfT) state minister Robert Goodwill said: "HS2 is an exceptional opportunity for businesses, creating thousands of jobs during construction and helping to rebalance our economy long before trains start running in 2026.
"This major moment in the procurement process takes us a step further to getting spades in the ground next year, so construction can begin on this vital railway."
Separately, HS2 published details of engineering design work worth up to £500m for developing detailed plans for phase two, including Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds, ahead of a formal route decision on phase two, which is expected later this year.