The work is part of the government’s Road Investment Strategy to triple levels of spending on England’s roads by the end of the decade.
Plans include major improvements on the M11, A5 and M1, A1(M), A12, A14, A47 and A428.
Roads minister Andrew Jones said the investment is the largest in a generation.
Ken Simmonds, Highways England’s director of major projects in the south and east of England, said the projects will be completed by working with local communities and using designated funds where relevant to address environmental issues and air quality.
“Construction work will, of course, bring some disruption in the short term but we will ensure that we keep this to a minimum to keep traffic flowing,” said Simmonds. “When the schemes are completed, road users will experience safer, more reliable and less congested journeys.”
Some of the schemes such as the A5-M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass in Bedfordshire are already under way. This scheme involves the building of a link between two major roads north of Dunstable town.
Schemes to start in the region by 2019/20 include provision of a 21km stretch of dual carriageway on the A428 between western Cambridgeshire and the north east of the town of Bedfordshire,
Highways England East divisional director Catherine Brookes said more than €110 million will be spent this year on maintenance and small-scale improvement schemes. “And because our roads aren’t just about cars and lorries, we’re also investing €5.4 million in the east to improve facilities for cyclists,” she said. Highways England plans 17 new cycle paths along some of the major roads.
Nationally, Highways England has plans to make improvements to 112 major roads, including 15 smart motorway projects. More than 150 cycling facilities and crossings will be built, including 40 by the end of 2016.
Highways England will also be directly accountable to regulators, including the Office of Rail and Road, which will monitor performance and efficiency, and Transport Focus, which will act as a watchdog for road users.
