According to the £5m deal, selected firms will collaborate with Network Rail during the upcoming five months to develop detailed plans for the electrification of the main Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Waverley line as well as other major projects, which are included in EGIP.
Additionally, Network Rail plans to deliver the electrification of the entire line by 2016.
The alliancing contract enables Network Rail to find the contractor for the £250m civil engineering and electrification works that are set to start later this summer.
The works will comprise of electrification of the main Edinburgh-Glasgow route, through Falkirk High, including route clearance works at Winchburgh Tunnel along with rail infrastructure works at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley Stations and extensions to intermediate platforms at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow.
The electrification for the Glasgow-Cumbernauld line and provision of a new station for the town is to be completed in summer 2014.
David Dickson, Network Rail’s acting route managing director for Scotland, commented: “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.”
EGIP, a Scottish Government-funded scheme, is managing a vast programme of electrification across the Central Belt, which will lead to shorter journey times and increased capacity on routes including the main Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen St line.
The programme has already delivered a new £25m station at Haymarket in Edinburgh and completed work at 42 bridges on EGIP routes to create the correct clearances for electrification.
Transport Minister, Keith Brown, said: “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.
“I was delighted only last month to open the new £25m station building at Haymarket which was completed on time and on budget and has transformed facilities at one of our most iconic stations. We are charging ahead with the electrification of the Cumbernauld line and I look forward to the introduction of electric services on this important route in time for the Commonwealth Games.
“This is further evidence of close collaborative working between Transport Scotland and Network Rail and the excellent progress being made with EGIP.”
Photo: Rail News
