The acquisition of Atkins by SNC-Lavalin has been unanimously approved by the boards of both global infrastructure providers for around US$2.7 billion. During the first full financial year of the merger group around $90 million of cost synergies is expected to be saved. The deal is still subject to regulatory and Atkins shareholder approval, likely to be given in the third quarter of this year. Atkins, based in London, brings around 18,300 employees to the group and expands SNC-Lavalin's geographic reach be
Managing utility works effectively is important, given that digging up roads and then patching them can dramatically cut the life of a road surface. New software tools make this process easier to manage effectively and Bentley Systems is extending its Expert Designer V8i package to include water, gas, and communications infrastructure, in addition to electric utilities. This allows utility firms and engineering contractors using Expert Designer V8i to boost the efficiency of utility network design projects.
According to Highways England, real progress is being seen with the Stonehenge Tunnel project. The UK Government recently announced its plans to construct a twin-bored tunnel measuring around 2.9km for the A303, bypassing historic Stonehenge. The project also includes a section of dual carriageway bypass for Winterbourne Stoke. This scheme forms part of a £2 billion investment in the South West's strategic road network. The project is intended to improve connectivity and ease congestion on this key route.
