HS2 Ltd awarded voestalpine Turnout Technology UK a contract to supply track switches and crossings for Phase One and 2a.
The contract includes the design, manufacture and delivery of around 180 switches and crossings which will be installed between London and the connection with the west coast mainline at Crewe.
Designed to operate smoothly, reliably and safely at speeds of up to 360km/h and diverging speeds up to 230km/h, the switches and crossings will be a vital and highly specialist part of the HS2 track systems.
The contract also includes around 77 rail expansion devices for track on viaducts and bridges – and around 70 lower-speed switches and crossings for the depots at Washwood Heath and Calvert.
In order to reduce long term costs and improve performance, the rail and the switches and crossings will be predominantly set onto concrete slabs instead of the ballast commonly used on the UK rail network.
“I am delighted that HS2 has trusted voestalpine Turnout Technology UK to participate in such an important project for the country. Utilising the wealth of experience voestalpine Railway Systems has gained from delivering high speed railways across the world, I am confident the project will be a resounding success,” Franz Kainersdorfer CEO of voestalpine Metal Engineering Division said.
HS2 Ltd is running a separate procurement process to award four track systems contracts for the design and installation of the track and coordination of construction logistics. This will also include integration and installation of the switches and crossings.
The contracts covering design and supply of equipment are worth around GBP 210 million. The initial duration of the Technical Support Contract is 20 years.
Phase One and 2a will provide connection from London to West Midlands, towards Crewe. Once complete, HS2 will improve journeys between London and the North, free up space on the existing network for more commuter and freight trains and provide zero carbon journeys from day one.
Share on:
