17.05.13
£36m Vauxhall Tube upgrade work goes to Bechtel
TfL has awarded the construction contract for Vauxhall Tube station to Bechtel Ltd. The £36m modernisation plan will increase the capacity of the station and make it step-free.
The work supports the wider transformation of the Battersea Nine Elms area.
Construction will start in early 2014 and be complete by late 2015. The ticket hall will be reconfigured to allow for more ticket gates and wide-aisle gates to meet passenger numbers, which are set to increase by 40% over the next few years.
The station will be refurbished and lifts installed to improve accessibility and reduce congestion. Building the lift shaft from below ground level and using sprayed concrete lining techniques will cut costs and reduce the environmental impact of the project.
David Waboso, London Underground’s capital programmes director, said: “Vauxhall is a very busy Tube station, with about 21 million people using it annually, and is set to get busier. The modernisation will make the station step-free, give passengers more space and make journeys through the station quicker and more pleasant. The works, along with other TfL investment in improving the local transport network, will help support the regeneration of the area.
“Careful thought has been given to the environmental impact of the works and how we can reduce costs. The lift shaft will be constructed from below ground level at the side of the ticket hall to minimise the disturbance in the surrounding area. In addition, the shaft and connecting tunnels will be constructed using sprayed concrete lining techniques, which reduces the amount of excavated materials and associated haulage. This has already produced significant savings in both utility diversions and construction costs.”
Amjad Bangash, managing director of Bechtel's rail business, said: “We're committed to the successful delivery of the Vauxhall Underground station upgrade, to which we bring strong ethical values, an unwavering focus on safety and quality, and a proven track record in delivery.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]