Graham, from Britain, has been awarded the design and construction contract for the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail tram-train project.
The GBP 100 million (EUR 120.5 million) contract is financed by the Welsh and UK Governments, committing GBP 50 million (EUR 60.2 million) each.
Detailed design is expected to be completed by Autumn 2025 and work on the ground due to start at the end of next year. according to Cardiff Council, under the current programme of works, the construction could be completed by early 2028, with trams running on the track from later that year.
The first phase covers the construction of a new tramway between Cardiff Central Station and Cardiff Bay for which earlier this year, Cardiff Council appointed consultants WSP and Rider Levett Bucknall to provide programme and cost management services for the project.
The route will pass through Callaghan Square and run alongside the existing Cardiff Bay Line. Works will include a new two-platform station stop at Cardiff Central Station and an additional third platform at Cardiff Bay station. There will be significant highway modifications and improvements to public space.
In the first phase, it is essential to construct of the rail connection between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay, connecting the two directly by rail for the first time. This will deliver a new two-platform station stop located in the southern car park of Cardiff Central railway station, with easy interchange at Cardiff Central station; a new tramway from the southern car park at Cardiff Central station, crossing through Callaghan Square to join the existing Cardiff Bay line; an additional third platform at Cardiff Bay railway station (in addition to the second, which is currently being built); and improvements to public spaces on the route to connect neighbouring communities, places and attractions.
“The Cardiff Crossrail is an ambitious plan to deliver Cardiff’s new tram transport system which will eventually run from the northwest of the city, all the way to the east of the city connecting with the proposed Parkway station. Following further funding opportunities, we intend to provide a cross-city tram service that is affordable and reliable for the public to use, and to connect some of Cardiff’s poorest communities to the rail network for the first time,” a Cardiff Council spokesperson said.
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