02.07.13
EGIP electrification contracts out to tender
The tendering process for electrification of the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) has begun, Network Rail has announced.
The £400m work is part of the £650m EGIP project which will see reduced journey times between Scotland’s two main cities.
The work includes 156km of electrification and modelling and platform extension work at Waverley, Queen St, Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow. EGIP will also create a new interchange station at Gogar and new depot at Millerhill in Edinburgh.
Tendering invitations have now been issued for return by September; contracts will be awarded in early 2014, with construction due to start next summer.
Transport minister Keith Brown said: “I welcome today’s announcement which is further evidence of our commitment to the realisation of the Scottish Government’s ambitious rail electrification programme.
“The electrification of our busiest route will deliver significant improvements in rail journey times and train capacity. EGIP represents a £650 million investment in Scotland’s railway which will create hundreds of jobs providing a major boost to the wealth of Scotland and its long-term economic sustainability.”
David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “The EGIP programme is a unique chance to modernise and enhance our railway and transform rail services across the central belt.”
Roger Dickinson, regional director for Network Rail Infrastructure Projects in Scotland and North East England, added: “The tendering process currently underway also offers us an opportunity to continue to develop our new alliancing approach to infrastructure projects – which was recently successfully applied to the Paisley Canal line’s electrification – to work more closely with contractors and stakeholders to deliver in the most efficient, cost-effective way for passengers.”
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