The project remains on schedule for commissioning in Spring 2023, with track layout 84% complete and all utility diversions finished The project is currently working in twelve separate sections across the route and the concrete pour took place on the bridge deck of Tower Bridge.
The pour operation took approximately eight hours to complete, and involved sixteen operatives, nineteen loads of concrete which equated to approximately 130 m3, and 500m2 of finishing works were undertaken.
On the technical challenges of this operation, María Ortega, SFN Project Director on Edinburgh Trams York Place to Newhaven, commented: “A concrete pour may look like a simple task from the outside, however there are so many different disciplines involved to ensure that it is undertaken in a safe and timely manner to deliver a high-quality end product. As contractors, SFN has brought extensive experience in the light rail sector to this project.”
To date 84% of track slab has been laid (almost 4,000m), 100% of the necessary utility diversions have been carried out, and main construction work is complete on three new tram stops, with works progressing well on another two. SFN has also installed 74 Overhead Line Equipment poles, 35% of the total along the route and over 4,000m of drainage infrastructure.
Trams to Newhaven
Construction on Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven commenced in November 2019. The full scheme is valued at £207.3m and is on schedule to be in operation in spring 2023. The 4.7km route will have eight tram stops and will complete the existing tram network, which currently connects the airport with the city centre, to the northeast of the city.
The construction of the new tram line will include 4.7 km of track, with improvements to public realm along the route. The new tram route will run from York Place down through Leith Walk, Constitution Street, Ocean Terminal and then finish at Newhaven.