Black cat project reaches halfway point

Newly released drone footage has revealed the scale of progress on the £1 billion A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements, as the project reaches its halfway point. The National Highways scheme, the largest infrastructure project currently under construction in the UK, is transforming the route between Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, creating a new 10-mile dual carriageway to ease congestion and improve safety between Milton Keynes and Cambridge. Significant changes have already taken place at Black Cat roundabout, Cambridge Road (St Neots), Eltisley and Caxton Gibbet, where construction teams have laid new road surfaces, built bridges and rerouted utilities. Lee Galloway, National Highways Project Director, said the halfway milestone marks “a powerful testament to the hard work, expertise and dedication of everyone involved”. “It’s brilliant to see how much has been delivered,” he said. “Already, motorists who regularly travel on the route will see major visible changes. “We remain on track to open in spring 2027, and the end result will be a smoother, safer and more free-flowing road network. We’re grateful for the ongoing understanding and support from the local community and road users.” What’s been achieved so far At the halfway point, workers have: Moved 7.1 million tonnes of earth to prepare the route for the dual carriageway, link roads and bridges Laid 60,000 tonnes of asphalt at Black Cat, Cambridge Road, Eltisley and Caxton Gibbet Diverted more than 27 miles of utilities, including broadband, gas, water and power lines Installed 11 miles of new drainage systems Lifted 84 bridge beams into place across six structures, with 18 bridges to be completed in total Dan Trathen, Skanska’s Project Director for the A428 scheme, said the achievement represents more than just a milestone. “Reaching the halfway point isn’t just a marker on the timeline, it’s a testament to the grit, precision and teamwork that’s driving this project forward,” he said. “We’re not just building roads, we’re laying the foundation for safer, faster and more connected communities.” What’s next In the months ahead, drivers using the Black Cat roundabout will see major works continue as engineers lower the A1 carriageway beneath the new junction and build the A421 flyover bridge. Further along the route, a new 200-metre viaduct is taking shape over the River Great Ouse in Bedfordshire. At the same time, at Caxton Gibbet, beams will soon be installed to form a flyover carrying A421 traffic over the upgraded junction. Once complete, the scheme will replace the last stretch of single carriageway between the M1 and the east coast ports of Felixstowe and Harwich. National Highways says the improvements will save drivers up to 90 minutes each week and support long-term growth across the region.

Footage provided by Skanska/National Highways

Source: Bedford Independent