Balfour US contract wins

has announced that it has won $480m (£340m) of new contracts in the US for work on a prison, school, and military barracks.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Balfour Beatty Construction US, in a joint venture, has been awarded the $293m Mecklenburg County Jail expansion project.

The facility will contain an estimated 1,300 to 1,700 beds, with a new utility plant and expansion or renovation of existing support areas.

In addition, the project includes associated site work and infrastructure expansion and improvements.

Pre-construction will start in spring 2009 and construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2010.

Heery International, a division of Balfour Beatty, has won two contracts totalling $187m.

In Texas, it has been awarded a construction management contract by Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District for its new high school, stadium and career technology facility located north-west of Fort Worth.

The three components of the project will be constructed on a single site of approximately 124 acres. Pre-construction services will commence immediately.

In California, it has been awarded a contract by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for the Wounded Warrior barracks for marines and sailors stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The two-storey structure is to be completed in 24 months.