HS2 has invited six bidders to tender for a major two-part enabling works contract for the recently approved Phase 2a section of the high-speed rail network, extending from the West Midlands to Crewe.
This follows on from HS2 beginning its search for a Phase 2a design and delivery partner (DDP) back in in June, when it published the pre-qualification questionnaire for the 500 million GBP (586m euros | 686m USD) contract.
The winning bidder for the DDP package will work with HS2 to lead the delivery of the 36-mile route.
This involves managing and coordinating key contracts for delivering the railway’s detailed design and construction, including 17 viaducts, 65 bridges and track along the route extending from Phase One in the Midlands to the southern outskirts of Crewe.
The three year-long 240m GBP (281.37m euros | 329.31m USD) Phase 2a advance civil works contract splits work along the route into two separate packages, with one contractor delivering the works on the northern sections and a separate contractor delivering works for the southern sections.
Given the similarity of scope for the north and south contracts, bidders must bid for both contracts but will not be able to win both packages for capacity and resilience reasons.
The six construction companies invited to bid are BAM, Galliford Try, John Graham, Kier, Laing O’Rourke and Skanska.
The works, scheduled to begin in in autumn 2022, will include land assembly, environmental mitigation, establishment of haul routes and site compounds and preparing the trace of the line.
This will enable rapid mobilisation and the start of main civils works in 2024.
“This announcement marks another significant step forward in delivery of the next phase of Britain’s high-speed railway, which will provide low carbon transport for millions of people.
“Extending the Phase 2a route to Crewe will support 6,500 construction jobs and deliver new infrastructure that frees up capacity on the West Coast railway and shortens journey times together with an improved passenger experience.”
