Essential work to repair a key Manchester Metrolink tunnel, securing its long-term operation and safety has been completed.
Between Saturday 25 October and 30th October, essential beam replacement works were carried out at Whitefield Metrolink Tunnel, meaning no trams could run between Crumpsall and Bury.
The work was needed after an inspection previously found a fracture in an iron support beam within the roof of the 19th century tunnel.
New precast concrete roof beams and supports were put in place, effectively renewing the whole structure, so that tram services can continue to safely pass through the tunnel and will be able to do so for decades to come.
This week work will begin to waterproof the tunnel, with utilities being put back in the following week. The final phase, including landscaping and reinstatement of street furniture, will be completed in the coming months.
The work to replace the beams was completed by Metrolink operator KAM’s contracting partner, Story Contracting Ltd.
During the closure, the opportunity was taken to undertake other important work, including surveys and construction upgrades on a substation near to Heaton Park , which will form a crucial part of the light rail system that powers the trams themselves.
TfGM is in the process of delivering substation improvement works at Heaton Park, Hagside, and Collyhurst to make the network more resilient and enable more trams to run in the future.
This is to support economic growth in the area and the increasing number of people using public transport, as well as helping to clean up the air by reducing emissions.
Ian Davies, Metrolink Network Director, said: “Replacing beams in a tunnel dating back to the Victorians was never going to be a simple task and the close proximity of nearby electricity, gas, fibreoptic and water mains and the nearby road only added to the complex nature of the work.
“Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we’ve been able to complete this work on time and get trams back running through the tunnel and back between Bury and the city centre.
“Thanks to everyone involved in this project for their efforts and our passengers for their patience this week while the delivery team got the job done.
“We know work like this is disruptive to passengers but it helps to make sure our tram network is safe, resilient and reliable for years to come.”
Image credit: TfGM
