Strabag will be providing 36,000 precast concrete segments from a new facility in Hartlepool for the High Speed 2 (HS2) scheme’s London tunnels.
HS2 main works contractor Costain Skanska Strabag joint venture (SCS JV) has awarded the second contract for the production of precast tunnel segments to Strabag, after awarding the first contract to Pacadar UK in August. Metro Segment Manufacturing Line
The new factory, owned and operated by PD Ports, will be constructed on an old oil-rig fabrication site at Hartlepool Dock. This is expected to create more than 100 new jobs for people in the surrounding area.
The facility will produce segments for the twin bored tunnels under London from HS2’s new Old Oak Common station to Green Parkway running underneath Northolt.
HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson, who visited the facility this week, said: “This landmark contract to build a new factory in Hartlepool to manufacture items for HS2 shows building back better in action, giving new life to a vacant site and bringing over 100 new skilled jobs to the area.
“Companies across the North East are already benefiting from being part of HS2’s vast supply chain, with 400,000 supply chain contract opportunities expected on phase one alone.”
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “This is just the latest investment in Teesside by Strabag who have already created a significant number of jobs at their tunnel lining facility in Wilton for the Woodsmith mine project.”
Construction of the new purpose-built factory will begin in January 2022, while production of the precast concrete tunnel segments will commence in December 2022.
Construction work to the existing site will start by redeveloping the exterior land parcel to suit the segment storage requirements and rail logistics platform. Focus will then turn to the internal fit-out, which will house an automated segment carousel and reinforcement hall. Robots will also be controlled by telemetry to produce the reinforcement cages required for each segment.
All 36,000 tunnel segments will be transported from the Hartlepool factory entirely by rail, with the first freight train delivery expected to arrive at the Willesden Euro terminal logistics hub in April 2023.
Around 100,000m3 of concrete will be used to construct the segments, which will be 8.8m outside diameter, 0.35m thick and weigh 6t each.
SCS JV managing director James Richardson said: “Strabag’s Hartlepool and Pacadar’s Kent facilities are both key to the delivery of the HS2 tunnels in London. Tunnel segment rings will be produced in Hartlepool and loaded on to freight trains and delivered by rail to our newly opened Logistics Hub at Willesden Junction.
“These huge tunnel segments, each weighing seven tonnes, will be then transported to the tunnel boring machine. This is a game-changer in how we move forward in the construction industry and is a significant step towards net zero carbon emissions in transport."
Pacadar UK will be delivering 58,000 segments for the first London tunnel being constructed between West Ruislip and Green Park Way, Ealing.
The combined length of HS2’s London tunnels being constructed by SCS JV is 42km.
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Tagged with: Hartlepool HS2 SCS Strabag tunnel lining
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