Construction of the 850-metre-long station box at HS2’s Old Oak Common station has now begun.
When complete, the station will be one of the UK’s largest and best-connected transport hubs, with 14 platforms.
The six high-speed platforms will be situated underground and connected to the eight conventional platforms by a split-level public concourse and rail overbridge.
Permanent construction for Oak Common station began this summer and Laing O’Rourke specialist trading business Expanded started work on the reinforced concrete structure last month. This will form the frame and base of the station building.
The specialist firm will need to excavate 20m below ground, removing 690,000 cubic metres of clay, before placing 32,000 tonnes of steel and pouring 190,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete.
This ‘top down’ construction technique allows the ground floor slab to be initially constructed with a series of mole holes allowing access for the large excavators to remove the earth from within.
The construction of the box at the east of the site enables the tunnel boring machines (TBM) to be launched towards Euston. The west of the site is where the spray concrete-lined tunnel between Old Oak Common and the Victoria Road Crossover box finishes.
“The start of work on the gigantic station box structure is a key milestone for the team at Old Oak Common.
“Work is progressing well on site and we are pleased that Expanded have now joined us on site as the programme continues to move forward.”
