Costain has joined the £800m Eastern Highways Alliance framework, stepping in to replace Morgan Sindall on the refreshed fourth-generation line-up just nine months after it was announced.

The appointment marks Costain’s first place on a multi-local authority highways framework and strengthens its growing roads portfolio alongside major National Highways contracts.

Costain has secured a spot on the major project lot, covering schemes worth over £30m across an area of 7,000 square miles and 23,000 miles of roads managed by 11 local authorities.

Run by Central Bedfordshire Council, the EHA4 framework will deliver highways upgrades, bridge and subway works, and new cycle routes over a four-year term, with the option to extend for a further two years.

Other contractors on lot 3 include Milestone Infrastructure, Octavius Infrastructure and Winvic Construction.

Roads sector director Andy Denman said: ““Being selected by the Eastern Highways Alliance expands our portfolio of projects and partners in the roads sector.

“We will be focused on establishing a strong working relationship with the Alliance that will allow us to deliver critical upgrades for a more resilient road network.”