A construction firm has been agreed for the new multi-million pound Gedling Access Road.
The road, which runs past the new Chase Farm Development from the A612 Colwick Loop Road to the B684 Plains Road, has been an ambition for more than 50 years.
But now the preparatory ground work has started, £40 million in funding has been approved, and a new contractor has been secured.
Building giant Balfour Beatty has been selected as the building company to construct the new road, and is expected to be officially confirmed on Thursday, July 4.
Planning permission for the new Chase Farm houses was partly dependent on the road being built.
Only 315 of the 1,050 homes planned for the estate can be built until the new road is finished. New industrial units and a drive-through restaurant have also been given permission next to the road.
It had been hoped that the road would be finished by Spring 2020, but at the time planning chiefs said this may have to be pushed back to Winter 2020.
This is because some delays were anticipated due to the complexity involved, and the large number of plots of land which needed to be built. The construction work is likely to take around 18 months.
Conservative councillor John Cottee is the chairman of the county council committee responsible for roads, and represents Keyworth.
He said: “Entering into contract with Balfour Beatty to deliver the main construction of the Gedling Access Road is another key milestone in the project’s delivery.
“It enables funding streams to be unlocked and provides the opportunity for the county council to work collaboratively with Via East Midlands, who are managing the project on behalf of NCC, and Balfour Beatty.
“Working in partnership we can get contractor input into the design proposals, engage with key suppliers and sub-contractors at an early stage, carry out value engineering, all of which will assist in the management of risk and the overall programme.
“The regional framework we’re using has been successful in the delivery of other high-profile projects in the county, previous schemes include the £8.5m Hucknall Town Centre and the £3.1m Hucknall Rolls-Royce work.”
