Metrolink’s Second City Crossing is on track!

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, with Craig McNicoll, Construction Manager, MPT.

The first ever tracks have been laid on Metrolink’s transformational Second City Crossing.

The tracks have been laid on the section of the new line between Manchester Victoria and Exchange Square which, thanks to a major grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is being fast-tracked and could be operational by next winter.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, with Craig McNicoll, Construction Manager, MPT.

This section will be served by a brand new ‘island’ stop in Exchange Square.

The Second City Crossing (2CC) as a whole is due to open in 2017 and will run between Lower Mosley Street, through St Peter’s Square, down Princess Street, along Cross Street and Corporation Street and into Manchester Victoria.

As part of the 2CC project, the existing St Peter’s Square stop will be relocated and expanded from two platforms to four and the Deansgate-Castlefield stop is also being expanded.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “Seeing the first ever tracks laid on this new route demonstrates the beginning of what all the work currently under way in the city will ultimately deliver.

“The Second City Crossing is vital for providing more services, more often, on our ever-growing Metrolink network – so it’s great to see such good progress being made on the ground.”

An artist’s impression of the new Metrolink Exchange Square stop in Manchester City Centre – now being built as an island platform to maximise public space in the area. The final design will be agreed with city officials

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The laying of this track is another demonstration that our public transport infrastructure is being transformed at a truly remarkable rate.

“This will provide real benefits to the thousands of people that come into the city centre by tram every day, providing additional services, making it easier to travel across the city and connecting more people with jobs.”

Peter Jones, project leader for MPT, the consortium constructing the new line, said: “The transformation of travel in Greater Manchester continues and the MPT consortium is honoured to be delivering this latest phase.

“Our teams are already hard at work preparing the new tram route and we’re grateful for the public’s continued support and understanding while construction takes place.”

For information and regular updates on the transformational 2CC programme, visit www.transformationinformation.co.uk.