A joint venture between Mace and Spain-based contractor Dragados has been selected by HS2 to act as construction partner on the new high-speed line’s terminus at London Euston.
Mace/Dragados will coordinate the building of the new station, including platforms, concourse and links to London Underground and other rail services, after winning a 19-month-long procurement process.
The JV will join HS2’s existing early works contractor, a Costain/Skanska joint venture (CSjv), who already have more than a thousand people at work across the capital carrying out work to prepare for the start of construction.
Demolition work at Euston is already underway, with the former carriage sheds north of the station and site of the tunnel portals, cleared last year. The first tower cranes arrived in January to assist with the demolition of the two 1970s towers at the front of the station, while the demolition of the disused former National Temperance Hospital and Ibis hotel is now almost complete.
CSjv is also delivering ecological work and utility diversions, as well as the project’s archaeological programme across the southern section of the route.
HS2 is expected to more than double capacity at Euston. Twin bore tunnels will take the high-speed trains west to a new Crossrail interchange at Old Oak Common and onward to Ruislip on the edge of London. After leaving the tunnelled section, the line heads up to the West Midlands and the North.
Lendlease masterplan
In February 2018, HS2 appointed Lendlease to develop a masterplan for the wider Euston site, involving the construction of 4,000 new homes, as well as shops, cafes and public spaces.
Jason Millett, COO for consultancy at Mace on behalf of the Mace/Dragados joint venture said: “Today’s contract signing marks the start of a close partnership that will last over a decade and transform one of the capital’s most important stations beyond recognition.
"The successful delivery of the new Euston Station for HS2 is not only important for residents of Camden and London, but it will improve capacity, reliability and journey times for millions of people travelling from the Midlands and the North of England every year.
"Combining Mace’s unbeatable knowledge of major infrastructure project delivery in the UK with Dragados’s world-class high-speed rail expertise we are assembling one of the highest calibre teams in the country to deliver this bold and ambitious vision for Euston.”
HS2 Chief Executive, Mark Thurston said: “Mace and Dragados have a strong track record of delivering some of the world’s most challenging and exciting infrastructure projects and we’re delighted that they’re joining the HS2 team as our Construction Partner for Euston.
“Together, we will deliver a new landmark station that will be the London gateway to HS2, transforming the way we travel and setting new standards for design, construction and operation.”
