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Roads and Railways

Volume 490: debated on Monday 23 March 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average cost of constructing a mile of (a) motorway and (b) railway was in the latest period for which figures are available. (264689)

The estimated range of construction costs for one mile of three-lane motorway with a continuous hard shoulder is from £21.4 million to £35.0 million. The estimated rates cover the construction costs of a new dual three-lane rural motorway including detailed design costs and statutory undertakers’ diversions, but excluding land costs, VAT and Highways Agency’s Agent and administration costs.

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link between Folkestone and London St. Pancras, which was built over the nine years to 2007, cost £5.8 billion in outturn money of the day costs, for the 68 miles, an average of £85.3 million per mile of railway. These costs include the two new stations on the line, the upgrading and restoration of the Grade 1 listed St. Pancras, extensive tunnelling under London, tunnels under the Thames and North Downs, and the long viaducts at Ashford, across the River Medway and crossing the M25 at Dartford.