Jacobs has been appointed by Network Rail as the Technical Services Integration Delivery Partner for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), a major programme of railway improvements aimed at delivering enhanced rail services along a 70-mile stretch, connecting 23 stations from York to Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield.
Under the terms of the eight-year framework, Jacobs will act as the sole provider of technical system integration services for the TRU programme throughout its development and construction phases. Their role will cover a wide range of responsibilities, including technical system integration, scope management, cross-project integration, technical change control, development engineering and design, and the creation of the programme’s business case.
“The Transpennine Route Upgrade will bring substantial benefits, improving the movement of goods by rail, providing better services for passengers, advancing decarbonisation, and supporting economic growth within the communities along the route. Our extensive experience in rail infrastructure projects will contribute to a sustainable solution that meets local needs,” Kate Kenny, Executive Vice President at Jacobs, said.
The TRU programme is being delivered by multiple organisations, including Jacobs, all working towards the common goal of delivering maximum value for communities along the route. Jacobs has already contributed to the programme in various ways, such as conducting system-level analyses to inform route performance modelling, developing a common data environment, and creating a digital twin for the programme. The company also managed the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) Infrastructure assessment for the Leeds Station Capacity improvement project, the first TRU initiative to achieve the BREEAM Infrastructure Excellent rating.
In 2024, Jacobs supported Network Rail in delivering the first electric trains running east out of Manchester, as well as managing complex closures along the route to facilitate key improvement works.
Jacobs also plays a significant role in the TRU social impact programme. Between April 2019 and October 2024, the programme is set to generate substantial social returns, including the creation of 320 apprenticeships, engaging more than 54,000 young people in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives, and facilitating over 19,900 days of work experience. The programme has also spent £547 million with local businesses and £279 million with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Drawing on its extensive global experience in rail infrastructure, Jacobs has supported major projects such as New York City’s Grand Central Madison, the U.K.’s Elizabeth line, Malaysia’s Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit, and Etihad Rail, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates.
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