Procurement delays are on-going for the main civils works framework for HS2 phase 2a due to battles for Tory leadership.
Prequalification Questionnaires for the Midlands to Crewe stretch for civil engineering works (£5.2bn to £7.2bn) were originally expected to start in July. However, potential bidders have now been told that due to the on-going battles for Tory leadership in central government the issuing of Pre-Qualification Questionnaires have been delayed.
Official procurement chiefs have said that they are hoping to get sign-off of PQQ’s before the end of September, but would need to confirm the date nearer to the time and will keep bidders up to date on their latest commercial models.
HS2 previously intended to split section 2a into two major civils programs worth £1.6bn. However, the latest intelligence suggests that the 58kim rail section could now be split up into 7 civils packages. Shortlisted bidders are 2 Connect JV (AECOM / Costain Integrated Services) and AMS JV (Atkins/Mace Consult /SYSTRA & Jacobs UK. Lang O’Rourke, Bam Nuttall, Galliford Try and Skanska are also on standby on the outcome of their race for the £240m two-part enabling works contract.
Phase 2a of the main civil engineering works include two bored tunnels which total 2.5km, 17 viaducts of 6.2km, 19million m3 of embankments, 20million m3 of cuttings
And 61 bridges. HS2 chiefs were also due to announce this month the £500m Design & Delivery Partner for the projects.
This second stage follows on from Kier’s earlier £50m first stage award on highways and utility enabling works
This three-year deal will split work along the route into two separate packages with one contractor delivering the works on the northern sections and a separate contractor delivering works for the southern sections. It is also anticipated that any advanced civil works will begin this Autumn.
Image Credit Railway Gazette
