The M40 project was groundbreaking from the start. Unlike many other Design, Build, Finance and Operate schemes, the project company UK Highways took operational responsibility for the existing motorway at the start of the contract rather than at completion of works.

Award of the concession included online widening of the motorway between junctions 1a –3, adding an extra lane of motorway (dual 4 to dual 4) in both directions whilst maintaining the traffic flows. The contract period for the widening of Junctions 1a-3 was 30 months, and for the reconstruction works between Junctions 6-8, 12 months. UK Highways bettered these periods by six and five months respectively.