Hammersmith flyover kicks off Costain's £200m TfL deal

London commuters who suffered the nightmare of last year's five-month closure and lane restrictions on the Hammersmith flyover must hope that yesterday's £60m strengthening contract awarded to Costain causes far less disruption.

It is the first in a series of £200m works given to the civil engineer by Transport for London under its "Early Contractor Involvement" programme.

The flyover, used by 90,000 vehicles a day, closed at the end of 2011 when it was found that salt water leaking into the 1960s' structure had weakened the cables which support the 16 arches. Five arches were repaired before the Olympics and now Costain is set to work on the other 11 starting in October.

Andrew Wyllie, the chief executive of Costain, said: "We are delighted to gain a place on TfL's framework, and to commence work on the Hammersmith flyover, which is a technically challenging structure and an important part of London's infrastructure."

As well as strengthening the cables, Costain will waterproof and resurface the flyover.