27.01.14
EGIP major contracts awarded
Morgan Sindall and Costain have been awarded contracts to work on the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Project (EGIP).
Working with Network Rail, they will help to electrify the Falkirk Line in a £5m deal. This will also include route clearance works at Winchburgh Tunnel as well as rail infrastructure works at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley Stations and extensions to intermediate platforms at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow.
The Scottish Government has also published the final business case for the project, which will include the refurbishment of Queen Street station, and deliver shorter journey times, more reliable services, lower carbon emissions, improved capacity and less crowding.
Transport minister Keith Brown said: “I welcome the contract award on the core electrification of the route and the hundreds of jobs this will support. This announcement represents another hugely important milestone in the delivery of EGIP and shows that we are pressing ahead with the improvements which will give Scotland a railway fit for the future.
“Passengers will experience the benefits of a faster, more comfortable and more efficient railway. But the whole of Scotland will also enjoy the boost to our economy and environment. This is why the Scottish government is right to invest in our railways and infrastructure.
“This is further evidence of close collaborative working between Transport Scotland and Network Rail and the excellent progress being made with EGIP.
“Since I announced the first phase of EGIP In July 2012 we have further developed the original scope to include an even greater transformation of Glasgow Queen Street station and I am pleased to announce the publication of the EGIP Business Case which takes that into account. This prudent and comprehensive assessment of the investment case for EGIP demonstrates substantial benefit for Scotland and its rail users and that the first phase can be delivered on time and on budget.”
David Dickson, Network Rail’s acting route managing director for Scotland, said: “EGIP is a unique opportunity to modernise the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line and transform services for passengers. The alliancing approach we have announced today will also allow us to work more closely with contractors and stakeholders to plan the project in the most efficient, cost-effective way for passengers and tax-payers alike.”
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