AECOM has played a key role in enabling the extension of the Manchester Metrolink, a major light rail system in the UK that will transport 22 million passengers a year. By 2016 Manchester will have the largest tram network in the UK as a result of the Manchester Metrolink upgrade and expansion programme.
AECOM prepared the outline and detailed designs for the Network Rail elements of the enabling works for the scheme. This included changes to the former heavy rail infrastructure along the Oldham loop between Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale to facilitate its conversion to tram tracks. AECOM’s work also involved the removal of a signal box, which is unusual on the UK network, as well as the provision of a new signal box. AECOM designed more than 10 miles of re-signalling as part of the expansion.
AECOM is working on HS2 providing both engineering and environmental services through its framework agreements with Mott MacDonald for engineering and Arup for environmental services. HS2 will transform the UK’s Victorian railway infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century. The new rail network will provide direct, high-capacity and high speed links between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.
AECOM’s role covers Phase One, the section of the route between London and the West Midlands. Over half of this 230km line will be in cuttings or tunnels. AECOM will also support Mott MacDonald and Arup on the Phase Two frameworks, which extends the network north to Manchester and Leeds.
Together with its partners, AECOM met the challenging programme to complete designs and support the submission of the Phase One hybrid Bill. The programme required environmental work to be carried out in parallel with design development, necessitating a collaborative approach incorporating environmental mitigation into the emerging design. As environmental overview consultant, the Arup and AECOM team delivered the largest and most detailed Environmental Statement ever produced in the UK. We continue to support HS2 as the Phase One hybrid Bill progresses through parliament.
AECOM is delivering multidisciplinary design services for the Manchester Town Hall Complex Transformation Programme and has been involved in the project since 2009. Services include structural engineering, building services and environmental services, with AECOM delivering the project using a Building Information Modelling (BIM) design and detailing platform.
The overall programme, with a budget of £140m, is due for completion in 2014 and includes a major refurbishment of the city’s Central Library and Town Hall Extension, both Grade II* Listed buildings constructed in the 1930s. The heritage of the buildings will be preserved, and the project involved extensive structural interventions to improve the vertical circulation and accessibility of the facilities. The buildings will be more energy efficient, in line with Manchester City Council’s sustainability agenda. The scheme won the Integration & Collaborative Working category at North West Regional Construction Awards in 2013.