Foundations Completed for Old Oak Common High Speed Station in London

The foundations for Old Oak Common high speed station are now complete, marking a significant step in the HS2 project. This milestone brings London closer to enhanced high-speed rail connectivity. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Massive Engineering Feat at Old Oak Common High Speed Station

Workers poured 76,000 cubic metres of concrete and installed 17,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement. The underground station base spans 850 metres, housing six platforms designed for high-speed rail services.

The base slab covers 45,000 square metres, equal to six football fields in size. At its thickest point, the slab reaches nearly two metres, requiring extensive planning and execution.

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Construction commenced in April 2023 and involved 91 concrete pours over an intensive work schedule. The project saw significant collaboration between engineers, steel fixers, and joiners to complete this phase.

Balfour Beatty Vinci SYSTRA joint venture (BBVS) has overseen the development of this critical infrastructure. At peak construction, the team employed 50 steel fixers and 20 joiners, ensuring steady progress.

This accomplishment marks a crucial step in transforming Old Oak Common into a major transport hub. The station will enhance connectivity across London and the UK, providing seamless integration with multiple rail services.

Future Plans for Old Oak Common High Speed Station

Once completed, the station will offer six underground platforms for high-speed trains traveling in both directions. These services will link central London with the West Midlands and extend further north.

Additionally, eight surface-level platforms will support interchanges with the Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express. This connectivity ensures the station becomes one of the best-linked in the country.

Completing the underground station base was essential for future construction phases. This milestone paves the way for track installation, platform construction, and the development of the station’s superstructure.

“At Old Oak Common, we are making rapid progress in creating a cutting-edge transport hub,” said a project spokesperson. The environmentally friendly design aligns with sustainability goals and enhances urban infrastructure.

Excavation for the station box finished in summer 2024, removing 1.3 million tonnes of London clay. The process involved careful planning, ensuring efficiency while preparing the site for foundation work.

To create the base slab, teams installed drainage layers before securing steel reinforcement. Workers manually positioned the steel framework before pouring concrete to finalize the station’s foundation.

London Concrete, a subsidiary of the Holcim Group, supplied materials from an on-site batching plant. Over 90% of the concrete was mixed locally, reducing vehicle emissions and streamlining logistics.

The project incorporated low-carbon ECOPact concrete to minimize environmental impact. Sustainability initiatives helped the station earn BREEAM Outstanding status, placing it among the UK’s top eco-friendly buildings.

“With the base slab finished, we have reached another major milestone at Old Oak Common,” stated Project Director Steve O’Sullivan. His team worked diligently to complete the work efficiently and sustainably.

Over the past two years, crews conducted 91 separate concrete pours, ranging from 600 to 1,000 cubic metres each. This process required precise planning and close coordination between stakeholders.

“This achievement allows us to proceed with the next construction phase,” O’Sullivan added. The installation of high-speed platforms is now underway, bringing the project closer to completion.

Teams are actively assembling wall frameworks for the six HS2 service platforms. Explore, a manufacturing partner, is producing platform slabs, with installation scheduled to begin this spring.

Above the base slab, crews are constructing the station’s ground floor level. Once completed, this will form the foundation for the station’s superstructure, creating a dynamic and modern environment.

Tunnelling operations are progressing to connect the station with the HS2 rail network. In the eastern section, workers are preparing to launch two massive tunnelling machines toward Euston.

On the western side, teams are using the sprayed concrete lining method to excavate tunnels. These efforts will ensure a seamless connection between the station and the wider high-speed network.

The site is being built on land previously used for railway depots in West London. Its strategic location ensures smooth integration with surrounding rail services and ongoing infrastructure projects.

Positioned between the Elizabeth Line depot and Great Western Mainline, the station offers unmatched connectivity. Realignment efforts will allow multiple rail operators to provide efficient passenger services.

Upon completion, the station will serve as a vital transportation hub, enhancing travel options for millions. The project’s progress highlights the importance of strategic infrastructure investments in modern urban planning.

Source: www.railtechnologymagazine.com

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