Westside Metro extension is ‘on track’ with latest milestone
THE Birmingham Westside Metro extension marked a major milestone at the weekend as tracks laid last year in Centenary Square were successfully welded to brand-new rail installed in Broad Street.
The activity is part of phase two of the light rail construction project underway in the city centre and means that more than 950 metres of double track are now installed in various locations between Broad Street and Five Ways heading towards Edgbaston Village with only 120m of track yet to be put in place on Broad Street between Gas and Berkley Street junctions.
Today (Thursday) will see another step towards completion as concrete will be poured encasing the track in its final position. In addition to the small section between Gas and Berkley Street, there is another short section of track to be laid at the terminus on Hagley Road.
Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and
Environment, said: “Even in these difficult times, the delivery of an extended Metro system further into the city centre and beyond will have a positive impact for Birmingham.
“I’m sure those living, working or visiting the city will continue to be pleased that this huge project is progressing well, as public transport improvements like extensions to the Metro are still important to the city’s overall sustainable travel alternatives.” When the route opens in 2021, three new tram stops, connecting passengers to Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Hagley Road, will follow from the current Library terminus, which opened for passenger service in December 2019. Throughout the remainder of 2020, those in the area will notice construction moving to a new stage as solid hoarding is removed and activity moves to installation of tram stop furniture, paving and street scene improvements as the majority of the rail laying wraps up.