Tees Valley's combined authority has submitted a five-year transport wish-list to the Department for Transport and is asking construction firms how the potential work should be packaged for procurement.
The programme covers April 2027 to March 2032 and spans major road schemes, railway upgrades, bus infrastructure, active travel and transport technology. The government has already confirmed £978m of core transport funding for the region, but the wider programme includes projects that still need further business-case approvals and additional financial backing.
Schemes in the pipeline
The authority's list includes the Darlington Northern Link Road, upgrades to the A66 and A689 corridors, a new platform at Middlesbrough Station and the redevelopment of Thornaby Station.
It also covers ambitions for a new station at Teesside International Airport, improvements to Middlesbrough bus station and transport links serving the Teesworks development.
The authority has acknowledged that delivering the full programme will depend on government support and potentially further outside funding. Steve Harker, the combined authority's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said major transport schemes often require significant additional funding even for a devolved body.
Harker said government backing for the plans was vital because it would allow external bodies to help fund the programme and give the region the best chance of delivering as many projects as possible in good time.
Procurement and supplier engagement
Despite the funding uncertainties, the authority is pressing ahead with early supplier engagement to prepare its procurement strategy. It expects to let multiple contracts covering highways, rail, civil engineering and specialist infrastructure rather than award one giant deal.
It is also considering a programme-wide alliance using the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model to bring together delivery partners and encourage regional contractors and SMEs to participate.
An initial supplier launch event was held on 9 November. Firms are now invited to provide feedback through a market engagement questionnaire, with responses due by 1 March 2027.
The approach is intended to test how the pipeline can be divided into workable packages while the authority seeks the approvals and funding needed for individual schemes. The confirmed £978m provides a base for the programme, but the authority's list distinguishes between projects already supported by core funding and those that remain dependent on further decisions.
For contractors, the immediate opportunity is to shape the procurement structure rather than bid for a defined construction package. The authority's plans point to a mix of highway, rail and civil engineering work, with specialist infrastructure and transport technology also forming part of the wider programme.
The authority says supplier feedback will inform how the programme is packaged before procurement proceeds.