Based on data from Barbour ABI we compiled a list of the UK's current most exciting high value, large scale infrastructure projects:
Transpennine route upgrade – Leeds, West Yorkshire
Network Rail have commissioned upgrades to the line between Manchester Victoria and York, including works west of Leeds towards Selby.
The works are set to improve capacity, journey time and reliability and include interchange improvements and electrification of the railway line.
Contractors BAM Nuttall along with consultants Arup and Amey Group head up the improvement works.
The upgraded route covers 76 miles of track, 8 tunnels, 13 viaducts and 25 stations. Works are due to start in mid-2019 and aim to be completed by 2028.
Estimated value: £2,250,000,000.
Birmingham Spur HS2 line – Birmingham, West Midlands
High Speed Rail 2 Limited are to construct the HS2 line from Long Itchington Wood Tunnel South Portal to Delta Junction and Birmingham Spur.
The works are part of Phase One of HS2 which aims to construct the railway from London to the West Midlands.
The BBV consortium have been awarded this contract, the consortium includes: Balfour Beatty, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction UK, VINCI Construction Terrassement and BeMo Tunnelling.
Works will begin in December 2018 and are due to finish in December 2023.
Estimated value: £1,500,000,000.
Dover Western Docks Revival – Dover, Kent
The £250 million Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover and represents the next exciting evolution of the Port. The development will consist of 2 new cargo berths, new pier structures, a new marina and reclamation and infrastructure works.
VSBW, a JV consisting of Volker Stevin and Boskalis Westminster, are currently delivering the £115,000,000 marine structures and bridge contract. This construction stage includes the design and build of two new berths including quay walls and land reclamation, a new marina pier, the marina curve, navigation channel and new lock gates, Bascule Bridge and capital dredging work. The work commenced in January 2017 and is due for completion at the end of 2018.
Estimated value: £250,000,000
Trafford Park Metrolink scheme – Manchester, Greater Manchester
Transport for Greater Manchester has plans for a new Trafford Park line which will run from Pomona and call from six new tram stops.
The route will cover Wharfside (near Old Trafford), the Imperial War Museum, key business areas throughout the industrial park, Eventcity and the intu Trafford Centre.
The 5.5km route aims to offer fast, frequent connections to jobs, leisure, shopping and cultural destinations outside of the city centre. The route will largely be segregated from existing traffic which will lead to more reliable journey times.
This project is a joint venture between Volkerrail, Laing O'Rourke and Mpact Thales with WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff acting as Delivery Partner for Design Interface Management.
Work began in November 2017 and aims to be completed by November 2021.
Estimated value: £350,000,000.
Thirlmere to West Cumbria link water mains – Cumbria
United Utilities plans to construct a 32km large twin water mains in West Cumbria.
The project comes from the need to link West Cumbria with the rest of the region. The company need to stop supplying water from Ennerdale by 2022 to reduce risks to local wildlife.
Works will include a new water treatment works, pumping stations and underground service reservoirs.
This project is a joint venture between Farrans Construction Limited and Roadbridge UK Limited.
Esitmate value: £300,000,000.
Channel Tunnel interconnector project – Folkestone, Kent
ElecLink and Groupe Eurotunell have appointed contractors Balfour Beatty along with engineering consultants Mott MacDonald Group Limited to install a cable link between two new converter stations in Folkestone and Coquelles, France.
The 1GW, 51km, high voltage direct current interconnector will meet the need for energy in the UK and support the balance of energy mix of both the UK and France according to Mott MacDonald Group.
This exchange will allow management of peaks and troughs in demand and variations in power production. It will also export any energy surplus from the UK to Europe and reduce CO2 emissions.
Plans to optimise the existing channel tunnel mean that there will be no threat to marine life during the installation process.
Works began in February 2017 and aim to be completed by August 2020.
Estimated value: £185,000,000.
Gatwick Airport Pier 6 extension – Gatwick, West Sussex
Gatwick Airport Limited plan to extend Pier 6 in order to accommodate additional stands for the A380 aircraft.
The project is part of a £2.7 billion improvement programme for the re-development of the airport’s North Terminal and will include the widening and re-aligning of the taxiway to enable access for A380s.
Bechtel Limited have been employed to manage the construction delivery of this project which will proceed over 4 stages starting in mid-2018 until 2022.
Estimated value: £180,000,000.
M1 Junctions 23A to 25 smart motorway – Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Highways England have implemented a scheme to install Smart Motorway technology between junctions 23a-25 on the M1.
Galliford Try Construction has been appointed as main contractor for this project with Collins Earthworks Limited as the groundworks subcontractor.
Works began in March 2017 and will continue until December 2018.
Estimated value: £120,000,000.
M5 Oldbury Viaduct maintenance – Oldbury, West Midlands
Highways England and Wolverhampton City Council have commissioned major maintenance works on the Oldbury Viaduct on M5.
Works will include removal and repair of deteriorated concrete on the southbound carriageway as well as scaffolding and encapsulation work under the carriageway, replacing wall sections and upgrading lighting.
This project comes after the viaduct suffering flooding on a regular basis due to poor drainage. The project will also include upgrades to the current drainage system.
This is a joint venture between Bam Nuttall, Morgan Sindall and Volker Fitzpatrick.
Works began in May 2017 and will run until May 2019.
Estimated value: £100,000,000 .
Carmarthenshire Dock East Quay outfall pipe – Llanelli, Dyfed
Works were carried out between February and October 2017 to install an outfall pipe at the Grade II listed Carmarthenshire Dock East Quay.
The pipe was installed to provide a suitable discharge point for surface water from the Marine Street RainScape scheme in to the River Lleidi.
Value: £60,000,000.
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