ConDig (13-Apr-17).  A Skanska and Ames Construction joint venture has booked a $244 million contract with Riverside County Transportation Commission to build express lanes on the I-15 freeway in California.

The project involves revamping I-15 between Cajalco Road and State Route 60 in southern California by adding two tolled express lanes in each direction, which total a distance of 14.6 miles.

The upgrade will allow drivers to access and exit the tolled lanes at multiple locations and also feature a series of sound walls along the project corridor, along with widening bridges to accommodate the new express lanes.

Construction is set to start next year and completion is slated for mid-2020.

The news comes as Skanska also announced that it has secured an additional order for its current upgrade to the 1155 Avenue of the Americas building, a high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

The deal with The Durst Organization is worth $35 million and will involve infrastructure upgrades and core finishes to 30 floors in preparation for new tenants.

Other work involves fitting new floor air handling units, cooling towers, emergency generator, emergency power riser, core restrooms, perimeter insulation, fire protection sprinklers and a new building management system.

Construction started last December and is expected to finish in October 2018.