Re Contract

Balfour Beatty PLC
22 April 2002




                     BALFOUR BEATTY CONSORTIUM SELECTED FOR $1 BILLION

                                    TEXAS TOLL ROAD

Balfour Beatty plc, the international engineering, construction and services
group, announces today that Lone Star Infrastructure, a consortium comprising
Balfour Beatty Construction Inc, the group's US civil and specialist engineering
company, Fluor Corporation and T J Lambrecht Construction, has been selected as
best value bidder for an exclusive development agreement (EDA) for State Highway
130, a new 90-mile toll road, by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

According to TxDOT, the consortium's proposal offered the best long term value
of the three groups bidding for the contract which will be worth in excess of $1
billion.  Contract discussions will now begin immediately between the Turnpike
Authority (TTA) and Lone Star on the agreement for design, construction and
maintenance.  It is expected that negotiations will be finalised and a contract
signed within the next two months.

Commenting on the consortium's selection, Mike Welton, Chief Executive of
Balfour Beatty plc, said: 'This is the largest single highway project in Texas
and demonstrates our ability to provide innovative solutions to complex
projects.  It is a further important step in developing our already powerful
presence in the US infrastructure market.'

Once completed, SH 130 will cover 90 miles from the I-35 north of Georgetown to
the I-10 near Seguin.  Construction is due to begin in early 2003.  The road
will be opened for use by the public in phases.

Balfour Beatty Construction Inc has carried out eight of the 12 contracts let by
the North Texas Turnpike Authority for the new Dallas area outer ring road
system.  In total, the business has carried out $500 million of road and
interchange building in Texas since 1994 and has a current order book of over
$180 million in the state.

Bill Miller, Senior Vice President, Balfour Beatty Construction Inc, who has led
the Balfour Beatty bid, said: 'We have an excellent long-term working
relationship with the Texas Department of Transportation and are delighted to be
able to extend our expertise to this latest contract.'

Balfour Beatty has businesses in the US with an aggregate turnover of
approaching $1 billion.  It recently announced the award of some $300 million of
new rail contracts in Boston and San Diego.

Balfour Beatty is a leading international engineering, construction and services
group.  Its aim is to create shareholder value by providing engineering,
construction and service skills to customers for whom infrastructure quality,
efficiency and reliability are critical.  The company serves the international
markets for rail, road, power and other utility systems, buildings and complex
structures.


Enquiries to:-
Tim Sharp
Tel: [phone]
www.balfourbeatty.com





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