The Welsh Government has advanced the much-needed replacement of the A494 River Dee Bridge, announcing a preliminary market engagement notice that sets out the framework for the forthcoming procurement process.

The bridge, a critical artery connecting north Wales with the north-west of England and further afield, is in poor structural condition and urgently requires replacement to ensure continued cross-border connectivity for people, communities and businesses.

The contract value is now estimated at £145M excluding VAT (£174M including VAT), up from the £130M that was advertised in the prior information notice published in January.

The new bridge would be located southeast of the existing A494 River Dee Bridge. As well as constructing the new bridge, the scheme will include improvements to the existing A494 to the east of where the road passes under the North Wales Coast Railway Line. This would include introducing a new hard shoulder in each direction connecting to the existing hard shoulders to the east of the River Dee.

A new access/exit to leave the A494 towards the Riverside area just past the river crossing will also be built, as well as up to 3km of new and improved walking and cycling routes, connecting to the Wales Coast Path, National Cycle Network Route 568, Queensferry and Garden City.

Another major part of the project is the diversion of the the Queensferry Drain (a Natural Resources Wales main river), which is situated on the southeast side of the A494 and currently flows in a culvert beneath it. As part of the works, new sections of open channel would be provided either side of the railway with a section of existing culvert beneath the railway line being retained.

Overview of the A494 River Dee bridge replacement scheme

Procurement approach

The Welsh government will adopt the Competitive Flexible Procedure as per the Procurement Act 2023. This process will unfold in two major stages: an initial selection stage to shortlist approximately five bidders, followed by a tender stage to appoint a winning contractor. The estimated timeline sets the contract duration from 4 May 2026 to 1 February 2030, with the tender notice expected to be published on 13 August 2025.

The initial supplier engagement that began in January invited written submissions that have since influenced the scheme’s procurement and design. This early industry involvement has not only led to an increased contract value but also helped shape a more efficient and balanced approach to the delivery model and contractual framework.

Notably, the Welsh Government will employ a two-stage Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) delivery model combining an NEC4 Professional Services Contract (PSC) for the first stage with an NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) for the subsequent design and build phase. The Employer’s Design route will be discarded and NEC4 ECC’s Option X22 will not be used. Payment options include NEC4 PSC Option E for the initial ECI stage and NEC4 ECC Option C for the design and build phase.

Artist impression of the new A494 River Dee Bridge

Market feedback has been pivotal in refining the approach, particularly in removing barriers to bidding. Suppliers advocated for reasonable security levels, a manageable number of shortlisted bidders, balanced commercial terms, and a fair weighting between price and quality. All these considerations have been integrated into the current procurement strategy.

Additionally, climate change considerations will be embedded within the contract. The likely inclusion of Option X29 from NEC4 ECC will help support decarbonisation initiatives, with specific targets agreed upon during the first ECI stage rather than being fixed at tender. An incentivisation mechanism focusing on cost management between the submission of the Initial Target Cost and the final Target Cost at the completion of Welsh Government’s Key Stage 4 will also be included.

Price and quality scoring will be nuanced, utilising both relative and average scoring mechanisms. Importantly, social value will feature significantly, carrying a minimum 10% weighting within the quality assessment – a reflection of the increasing emphasis on projects delivering community and environmental benefits alongside traditional construction outcomes.

The respective durations for the procurement stages have been outlined, with bidders expected to have 30 days to prepare submissions at the selection stage and three months for the tender stage, allowing ample time for comprehensive proposals.

As Wales looks to future-proof this vital infrastructure link, the project exemplifies the government’s commitment to a transparent, collaborative procurement approach that balances commercial rigour with social and environmental responsibility. The replacement of the A494 River Dee Bridge promises to enhance regional connectivity and economic resilience for years to come.

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