
High Speed Two Limited has awarded new contracts worth £900M for preparatory works on the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project in the UK.
A joint venture (JV) of Costain Group and Skanska Construction UK has won the south enabling works contract for the project.
Fusion JV comprising Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall and Ferrovial Agroman (UK) has secured the central enabling works contract and a JV of Laing O’Rourke Construction and J Murphy & Sons secured the north contract.
HS2 will be built in two phases: Phase 2a will run from the West Midlands to Crewe, and
Phase 2b from Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Leeds, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid said: “The new HS2 routes laid out today will make sure our plans to create an economy that works for everyone remain right on track.
“We are determined to get both the Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse firing on all cylinders and HS2 will help create new growth, jobs and homes right across the line.”
The new trains will carry over 300,000 people daily. Upon completion, HS2 will create around 25,000 jobs during construction, as well as 2,000 apprenticeships.
Phase 2a will open in 2027, and Phase 2b is expected to be complete in 2033.
* Data provided by Timetric's Construction Intelligence Center.