Bolton Interchange reaches key milestone

A major visual milestone is taking shape at the new Bolton interchange site.

Work has now started on the pre-cast concrete support structure that, when complete, will support the bus roadway and passenger concourse building. Sections of the frame are being lifted into place using a large crane situated on site.

To date, Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) contractor Kier Construction have completed a number of important groundworks, including the installation of 1002 concrete piles which will support Bolton Interchange. The piles have a combined length of 14.7km, equivalent to the length of 1152 single decker buses, while the 4016 cubic metres of concrete used was enough to fill 33 double decker buses.

TfGM Committee Chair Councillor Andrew Fender said, “The completion of the groundworks and the building of the concrete support frame really are significant milestones in the redevelopment of the interchange and will have a considerable visual impact on the project.

“Passengers can now really see a fully accessible facility taking shape with a modern concourse, a single, integrated ticket office and improved links between bus and train services.

“When complete, the new multi-modal interchange will transform a key gateway into the town centre as well as providing much improved facilities for passengers and greater integration of transport modes.”

Bolton Interchange will provide an up-to-date transport facility for commuters

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, added,“This is another important milestone for the interchange, which will provide a modern, up-to-date transport facility for commuters. We’ve worked hard to deliver our town centre regeneration programme and the transport interchange is a key part of our strategy.”

Work started last year on Bolton Interchange, which is located near the Great Moor Street/Newport Street junction, backing onto the Network Rail train lines running north out of Bolton.

When complete, Bolton Interchange will provide a modern, high quality facility for bus passengers, giving good connectivity between bus and rail services and will act as a gateway to the town centre.  The interchange will incorporate modern passenger information and ticketing facilities, a safer, more secure waiting environment with greater accessibility, and a skylink bridge directly connecting the interchange with the train station.