A 90-tonne crane swung into action this week at St Peter’s Square to install the new Metrolink platform.
The tram stop is being completely rebuilt as part of the £165 million ‘Second City Crossing’ redevelopment of tram services heading into Manchester city centre.
St Peter’s Square will now have two sets of track in each direction to allow more trams to run across the network.
It is due to open to passengers by autumn 2016.
Peter Cushing , Metrolink director (left) and Bryan Glass from Laing O’Rourke
In December last year, the first section of the Second City Crossing opened between Manchester Victoria Station and a new stop at Exchange Square.
The route will continue along Cross Street and past Manchester Town Hall on Princess Street, before turning into the new St Peter’s Square stop and onwards to Deansgate Castlefield.
The Metrolink contractor is saving time to assemble the platform by using 46 reinforced concrete sections pre-cast in a factory in Nottinghamshire.
Each unit, weighing up to 10 tonnes, is being hoisted into place this week on top of the previously installed side walls of the platform closest to Manchester Central Library.
A new stop platform is put into place at St Peter’s Square Metrolink
Mature trees will start to be planted around the stop to give a more pedestrian-friendly vibe.
TfGM’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “The new-look stop for St Peter’s Square is really taking shape, with the track formation in place and, now, one of the island platforms well on its way to completion.
“Building a new tram stop in the middle of a busy city centre is no mean feat and our work programme has been focused on getting the work done as quickly and efficiently as possible while still keeping trams running through the city.
“St Peter’s Square is going to not only look amazing, but will be a major commuter hub when the new Second City Crossing line starts to run through it from early next year.”
Bryan Glass is Project Director for principal contractor M-Pact Thales (MPT), a consortium of Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail and Thales, with RATP Dev Ltd responsible for operating the Metrolink network.
