A Laing O’Rourke-Ferrovial joint venture has been named preferred bidder for the £600 million Northern Line extension for London Underground, beating off competition from the Balfour Beatty/BAM joint venture that also made it to the shortlist.
Construction will start in Spring next year for completion by 2020. The deal is subject to final approval from Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, with final contract award expected by the end of August.
The project will create hundreds of construction jobs, particularly for those with skills need for major tunnelling and station upgrading works. New tunnels will link to the existing Northern Line track south of Kennington station from an existing section of track known as the Kennington Loop that is currently used by terminating trains.
The extension will run 3.1 kilometres along the northbound section and 3.25 kilometres southbound and will include crossover tunnels and stabling tunnels to the west of the terminus at Battersea. New stations will be built at Nine Elms and Battersea, areas attracting a range of multi million pound redevelopments such as the new United States Embassy and the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station.
A Transport for London spokesman said: “Following negotiations with the two remaining bidders for the Northern Line Extension design and build contract, London Underground has selected Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke joint venture as the preferred bidder.
“Contract award is planned for late August. Other tenderers have been notified and should we fail to reach agreement with the preferred bidder London Underground may reopen negotiations with those who have been stood down.”
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