THE winner of a £330m contract to upgrade a 24-mile stretch of the A1 was announced yesterday by the Highways Agency.

The contract has been awarded jointly to engineering companies Alfred McAlpine and Amec.

In the scheme, the A1 between Dishforth and Barton, in North Yorkshire, will be upgraded from dual carriageway to a three-lane motorway.

It will include new junctions at Baldersby, Leeming and Catterick, and improved junctions at Dishforth, Scotch Corner and Barton.

Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2007 and the motorway is expected to open in the spring of 2010.

The Highways Agency hopes the scheme will improve safety, reduce congestion and journey times.

Its chief executive, Archie Robertson, said: "The upgraded A1 is good news for the motorists using this section of the A1 in North Yorkshire.

"This is a strategic route for long-distance travellers, who will notice a reduction in journey times.

"This scheme will significantly reduce congestion, boost the local economy and improve the safety record along this heavily used stretch of road."

The contract has been awarded under the Highways Agency's early contractor involvement scheme, which brings the contractor into the project at an early stage.

The Secretary of State announced the preferred route for the scheme in June 2002.

Consultation with the public will be held before the scheme is finalised.