Britain’s Network Rail has assigned two separate contracts worth £90m for the final stage of the Reading and Paddington signalling system, and for the signalling power works between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington.
The railway along the strategic TEN-T North Sea-Baltic Corridor, linking the Baltic Sea with the Ukraine border, is to be upgraded by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe. €250m of funding will be provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the project, which will contribute to the modernisation of the 171km section of the railway line between Warsaw and Lublin and the rehabilitation of the Łuków-Lublin freight bypass. EIB believes that the project will ease commuter traffic in Warsaw and Lublin through the construction of new tracks. The upgraded railway connections will also enhance passenger safety through the implementation of updated security systems. EIB’s vice president László Baranyay said: "The EIB loan will help to improve Poland's railways along a strategic Trans-European transport corridor with positive consequences for the environment, transport safety, capacity and speed. "This will help to improve the quality of life of passengers, particularly people commuting to work in Warsaw and Lublin, as well as modernising the transport links needed to help further Poland's economic development."
A joint venture led by Astaldi and Max Bogl has won a €100m contract from National Company of Motorways and National Roads for the Brasov–Oradea motorway in Romania.
London Luton Airport (LLA) has unveiled plans to build a new £200m light rail link between Luton Airport Parkway station and the airport terminal.The mass passenger transit (MPT) system project is part of a wide-ranging £1.5bn inward investment programme of Luton Council that outlines a 20-year plan for major transformation of the town.LLA has appointed Arup to design and procure the scheme. The MPT system will be a fully-automated, two-way, 24-hour, guided light rail based on latest system technology and design innovation, and when complete will enable more than 2m passengers to undertake a direct journey between the railway station and the airport terminal in less than 30 minutes.Work is slated to begin in 2017 with the system ready for operation by the end of 2020.LLA CEO Nick Barton said: "Improving rail links is a crucial part of LLA's development, and integral to ensure that we provide the best service possible for all our passengers."The creation of a light rail link between Parkway station and the terminal is a significant milestone in the airport's transformation and the first step towards creating a world-class air-rail service."
DAA, formerly known as Dublin Airport Authority, is set to construct a new runway at Dublin Airport.Estimated to cost €320m, the project will include multiple contracts and packages of works.Dublin Airport received planning permission in August 2007, which got delayed due to the economic downturn and subsequent decrease in passenger numbers. The current planning permission was granted with 31 conditions attached.The 3,110m runway will be built 1.6km north of the existing main runway. Enabling works are set to start later in 2016 with construction of the north runway scheduled to start in 2017. The project will create about 1,200 jobs during its development. It is expected to be completed in 2020.DAA chief executive Kevin Toland said: "We are progressing our plans to deliver the new runway in accordance with the development and pathway for growth outlined in the Government's National Aviation Policy (NAP)."Dublin Airport's North Runway will significantly improve Ireland's connectivity supporting trade, foreign direct investment and tourism."
VINCI Construction has won a €496m contract to build the new La Défense station and adjacent tunnels.The company was awarded the contract through its subsidiaries VINCI Construction France, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Dodin Campenon Bernard, Soletanche Bachy France and Botte Fondations, in a joint venture (JV) with Spie Batignolles TPCI and Spie Fondations, The contract, awarded by SNCF Réseau, will involve the construction of a new La Défense station under the CNIT dome and extension of RER line E towards the west of Paris (Eole). Apart from the underground structural work beneath the CNIT itself, the JV will also build 1km of tunnel, a 40m-deep and 15m-diameter shaft and a large number of underground pedestrian corridors enabling connections between the RER E and A lines, the L and U lines of the Transilien and the T2 Tramway.Extending the E line and building the new CNIT-La Défense station is intended to provide commuters with a better quality of service, and connections with other RER lines and the future Grand Paris Express network.The construction work, including the unearthing of 350,000 cubic metres of rubble, will be undertaken without affecting the daily operations of all the CNIT offices, shops and hotel.Work on the project will commence in mid-2016 and will continue for just over five years.The project will create 700 construction jobs at the peak period. It will require 4m hours of labour with more than 300,000 hours that will be carried out under work-integration programmes.
Budimex, a subsidiary of Ferrovial Agroman, has secured a project worth about €175m to design and build the Olsztyn bypass in north-eastern Poland.The scope of the work will include the construction of 14.7km of the S51 highway as it passes south-east of the city.It will also involve the construction of two intersections and access roads, 16 overpasses (one for the railway line), two bridges and a pedestrian overpass.Further, Budimex will also improve some other roads in the municipality. The work on the project is anticipated to be completed in 28 months, excluding the winter time.Recently, Budimex has increased its backlog of road projects with the award of two sections of the S7 (between Nowy Dwor Gdanski and Kazimierzowo and in Ostroda), two sections of the S6 (Ploty-Kielpino and Goleniow-Nowogaid), two segments of the S17 (Garwolin-Gonczyce and Gonczyce to the Lublin-Warsaw provincial border) and the Kepno bypass, on the S11. It has also been selected to build the depot for the light railway system in Olsztyn.
A joint venture between Skanska and BAM Nuttall has secured a contract from Network Rail to build the new Ordsall Chord project in Manchester, UK.The project will connect Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly for the first time, helping to deliver faster and more frequent train service. It forms part of the Northern Hub project to enhance railway services across northern England.The contract runs from 2016 to 2019. Skanska’s share in the contract will be more than £74m, which will be included in order bookings for Skanska UK in the first quarter of 2016.BAM Nuttall sector director Alan Cox said: “This alliance continues a long association we have had with the railway in the North West and we are delighted to be creating such an important new link with an iconic structure that will enrich the railway heritage and passenger experience in the whole region.”Skanska managing director James Richardson said: “This is a significant part of Network Rail’s plan to stimulate economic growth in the north of England and Skanska is delighted to be part of the alliance delivery team helping to achieve this goal.”
Network Rail has unveiled an investment programme worth more than £800m to develop London Waterloo station over the next three years.The project will include the reconstruction of the former Waterloo International Terminal that will enable platforms 20-24 to be brought back into use with modern facilities, new track and signalling, as well as a construction of a spacious concourse near the platforms.Plans also include longer platforms at ten stations, upgrades to depots and maintenance facilities, a new fleet of Siemens-built Class 707 trains, and installation of new technology in trains.The project is anticipated to increase peak time capacity by 30% by 2019. Majority of the upgrades are being financed by the Department for Transport as part of Network Rail’s £40bn Railway Upgrade Plan.Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We are investing £40 billion in our nation’s railway infrastructure - the biggest upgrade since the Victorian times.“From 2017, passengers will benefit from a bigger and better London Waterloo station and 150 new train carriages providing more space for passengers arriving at London Waterloo over the three-hour morning peak - this is in addition to the 108 extra carriages that have already been added since 2013.”
Balfour Beatty has received a £170m two-year extension to its Track Partnership contract for London Underground.Balfour Beatty Rail secured the original Track Partnership contract in 2010 to provide essential track renewal work across the London Underground network. The extension will take the contract to March 2018.The company will continue to offer design, labour, plant, and materials, alongside surveying, supervision and management of the works.The scope of the contract will include the installation of points and crossings, as well as ballasted track renewal. The company will also be responsible for associated drainage, signalling, traction power and conductor rail works.Balfour Beatty Group Leo Quinn CEO said: “With world-class expertise in track, electrification and power supply systems, Balfour Beatty Rail is a significant player in the UK rail infrastructure market.“We have utilised these market-leading skills and expertise working with London Underground over the last 13 years. This extension is a clear sign of London Underground’s confidence in the capability of Balfour Beatty within the Track Partnership.”
Network Rail has announced plans for a £340m project to upgrade railway in Liverpool City Region over the next three years.The project will include new and longer platforms at Liverpool Lime Street station, a new station at Maghull North, renovation of the Newton-le-Willows station, track renewal on the Merseyrail underground loop, laying of additional track between Huyton and Roby, and upgrading the Halton Curve to support new services between Liverpool and Chester.It will also include the construction of a new bus interchange, extended car park facilities, a new booking hall on the south side of the station, as well as new lifts, subway and stairs.The majority - £229m - of the funding for the project will be provided by Network Rail, while the remaining will be funded by the Liverpool City Region.The upgrades form part of Network Rail's nationwide Railway Upgrade Plan in response to rise in demand for rail services.Network Rail route managing director Martin Frobisher said: “Our aim over the next three years is to give the people of Liverpool the high-quality rail services they deserve.“With demand for rail travel expected to rise by 100 per cent over the coming years, these improvements are vital for the future growth and prosperity of this great city region.”
The mayor of London has given the green light to the London Overground extension to the Barking Riverside project.Following the approval, Transport for London (TfL) will now apply to the government for a Transport and Works Act Order to start construction on the £263m project.Work will involve a 4.5km extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking line, delivering London Overground services to a new station at the Barking Riverside community.The project will be developed by Barking Riverside, which is a newly reformed joint venture between the GLA and London & Quadrant.The developers will provide £172m of the project costs, while the rest will be provided by TfL. Construction work is expected to start in late 2017, with train services starting in 2021.TfL managing director of planning Richard de Cani said: “Overwhelming support has been demonstrated throughout the consultation process for this extension of London Overground network to Barking Riverside.“We will now be moving this to the next step so that we can get construction underway. This vital new railway will breathe life into this area, enabling up to 11,000 vital new homes, along with healthcare and leisure services, to be delivered.”
A Bouygues-led consortium has won a design-build contract from the Dover Strait Ports Company (Société des Ports du Détroit) for the Port of Calais extension project in France.Apart from Bouygues Travaux Publics, the consortium includes Colas Nord-Picardie, Spie Batignolles and Jan De Nul.The contract is valued at about €675m, with Bouygues Construction having a share of about €300m. The project will involve the construction of a new 3km seawall, a new 100-hectare harbour basin to the north of the existing facilities, three new ferry berths and a roll-on/roll-off berth inside the harbour basin.Work will also include 4m cubic metres of marine dredging for the new quays, development of new cross-Channel traffic reception capacities such as 44 hectares of parking facilities and roads and around twenty operational and reception buildings. Bouygues Travaux Publics CEO Philippe Amequin said: "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to play a part in the economic development of Nord - Pas de Calais - Picardie region with this project, which will provide it with a port infrastructure corresponding to its ambitions, both in terms of functionality and of quality of service."Our teams have been at work since the contract was signed, and they are already at the site carrying out the engineering studies that will result in the construction of a state-of-the-art port."
Heathrow Airport has awarded contracts to Arup, CH2M, MACE and Turner & Townsend to help deliver its £16bn expansion project.The government’s independent Airports Commission recommended the expansion of the airport last July, stating that it could be done within environmental limits. “Heathrow’s expansion programme will focus on creating a world class, sustainable hub airport which is commercially attractive to both Heathrow’s shareholders and the airlines,” Heathrow said in a statement.The project is anticipated to boost UK economy by up to £211bn, as well as create 180,000 jobs and 10,000 apprenticeships.The expansion is expected to commence soon after securing the go-ahead from the government.Heathrow director of procurement Ian Ballentine said: “I’m delighted that our client partners are now on board and I look forward to working with them to give the UK a truly world-class, sustainable hub airport. This privately-financed, £16bn project will benefit the whole UK as we work to widen the supply-chain right across the nation.”
Strabag has won a contract worth €108m to build a 16.7km long section of the A1 motorway in Poland.
The Fehmarn Belt Contractors consortium has won tunnel dredging and reclamation contract for the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link tunnel project.
Manchester City Council has given the green light to a £1bn transformation programme for Manchester Airport.
Swedish construction firm Peab has secured a contract worth about SEK1.02bn ($119m) to carry out a reconstruction of the European route E45 in central Gothenburg, Sweden.
Engineering solutions provider Costain has secured an early contractor involvement (ECI) contract from Lancashire County Council for the Preston Western Distributor and associated link roads, in the UK.
A consortium led by Ferrovial subsidiary Cintra has won a contract valued at €1.01bn from the Slovakia Ministry of Transport to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain the beltway around Bratislava, Slovakia.