Benefits of a collaborative commercial model for specialist ground engineering-Video

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Chris Campbell presents the A1 highway upgrade near Gateshead, where Skanska’s specialist ground-engineering team worked as a subcontractor to Costain. The project involved treating historic coal workings, installing deep piles and improving soft ground beneath large embankments, all under a critical deadline and amid severe resource shortages and material-price inflation.<br /><br />Traditional lump-sum and target-cost contracts were judged likely to create disputes over changes and distract from delivery. Instead, the team used an NEC4 Option E cost-reimbursable contract, with shared performance indicators linking incentives to safety, quality and schedule. This approach aimed to promote transparency, trust and joint problem-solving.<br /><br />The ground-improvement work finished in 32 weeks—eight weeks faster than the most likely estimate—and the project remained on its critical path. Commercial targets were met, and the arrangement delivered more than 10% savings for the client. Campbell describes it as a successful step toward more collaborative construction practices.

Keywords

A1 highway upgrade

NEC4 Option E

ground engineering

coal workings remediation

collaborative construction