South Lancaster Growth Catalyst - Railway Structure

Tender description

Lancashire County Council is to undertake a significant highway infrastructure intervention to increase the highway capacity north of Galgate village and south of Lancaster University to cater for additional traffic anticipated to be generated as a result of the development of residential properties at Bailrigg Garden Village. As part of the development a highway link is required which will cross beneath the West Coast Main Line Track. Lancashire intends to award a contract for the design and construction of the railway link to Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd Lot 1: Lancashire County Council is to undertake significant highway works that includes a reconfiguration of the highways structure north of Galgate village and south of Lancaster University. Included in the development of the infrastructure will be a highway link which will cross beneath the West Coast Main Line, which is the twin track main north-south rail connection in the west of England. The contract is for the design and construction of the railway structure that will form part of the highway link which will cross beneath the railway track and provide connectivity between the village spine road and the upgraded infrastructure on the other side of the West Coast Main Line. The railway track in this area is on a high embankment which precludes the highway crossing over the railway by bridge due to cost, excessive land take, visual and environmental impacts. As a consequence, the crossing will pass through the embankment under the track with a bridge supporting the track above. Construction will involve building a bridge structure adjacent to the track, full closure of the West Coast Main Line, removal of a section of the track and embankment and the new bridge inserted into place. The embankment, power, signalling and the track will then be reinstated.