At a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), council leaders approved TfGM continuing the contracts with MPT, various utilities and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff for the new 拢350m line to to theTrafford Centre via Trafford Park
MPT is a consortium of VolkerRail, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Thales. VolkerRail and Laing O鈥橰ourke will continue to be responsible for the design and construction of the civil engineering and track, while Thales will deliver the tram operating systems and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will continue as TfGM鈥檚 delivery partner.
This is the same team that previously built extensions to MediaCityUK, Manchester Airport, Ashton, East Didsbury, Oldham and Rochdale and is currently finishing the Second City Crossing.
The new 5.5km Trafford Park line will increase the size of the Metrolink network to more than 103km (64 miles), served by 99 stops. It will branch off from the existing Pomona stop and call at six new tram stops, ending at the city鈥檚 biggest shopping centre.
Metrolink director Peter Cushing said: 鈥淭ogether we have developed a tried and tested approach to delivering our award winning expansion programme. We have achieved a phenomenal amount since 2008 with bigger and better things still to come so I鈥檓 pleased our award winning partnership will continue with the expansion of the Trafford Park line.鈥�
MPT director Bryan Glass added: 鈥淭he Laing O鈥橰ourke, VolkerRail and Thales MPT consortium has successfully delivered three main contract extensions for Manchester Metrolink with the team on schedule to complete the Second City Crossing early next year.
鈥淲e are therefore delighted that TfGM has appointed us as a trusted partner to deliver the latest phase of the Metrolink鈥檚 growth taking the line through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre.鈥�
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