Then and now We revisit projects featured in previous issues of our magazine, and update you with the latest news and developments Gold Coast Rapid Transit System The SNC-Lavalin team in Australia worked on the Gold Coast Rapid Transit (GCRT) system – a key element of the wider plan to address traffic congestion on the Gold Coast by providing a wholly integrated public transport network. The 13km line services 16 stations connecting Gold Coast University Hospital, north of Southport, with Pacific Fair shopping centre in Broadbeach. The Queensland Government appointed the SNC-Lavalin team in 2009 to provide Operations Advisory Services to its Stage 1 project team during both the planning and procurement phases for the light rail system. SNC-Lavalin was retained as Light Rail Advisor, providing technical support during the delivery phase of the GCRT. SNC-Lavalin developed the operational requirements for the GCRT and were involved from Expression of Interest (EOI), to financial close, design, commissioning, mobilisation and commencement of operations. At the end of February 2016, TransLink’s go card touch-on-touch-off figures recorded a total of 11,400,000 tram journeys since operations began in July 2014. For 2015/16 year G:link trams are averaging around 21,000 journeys per day. Public transport travel on the Gold Coast is up by more than 25% on last year. Update On 6 August 2015, the Queensland Government announced it was progressing with plans for the second stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 2). This will connect the existing light rail system at Southport to heavy rail at the Helensvale station. The 7.3km route runs from Helensvale heavy rail station adjacent to the Gold Coast Line, then adjacent to the Smith Street motorway to connect with Stage 1 at the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station. SNC-Lavalin is the Operations Advisor for Stage 2 and has supported the procurement phase of the project, including developing both an operational cost model and operation and maintenance requirements for the extended system. City of Gold Coast has begun studies on future southerly and western extensions of the light rail system. Crossrail 2 project seeking guidance In January 2015 we announced that SNC-Lavalin’s team, working with Arcadis Hyder and other partners, had been appointed to assist in the design and development of the Crossrail 2 project, a multi-billion pound project in the UK. Crossrail 2 is being developed jointly by TfL and Network Rail. The service will link key growth areas in south-west and north-east London and serve destinations in Surrey and Hertfordshire using the existing national rail network. The project should add 10% to the capital’s rail capacity, transporting up to 90,000 people in the morning peak period. Update SNC-Lavalin continues to provide operations and depot consultancy advice on this UK rail project. Chancellor George Osborne gave London’s Crossrail 2 scheme – a new rail line linking the north and south of the capital city – the go-ahead in his most recent budget in March. Proposals for this major rail route, and infrastructure investment, are still being worked on. Completion is due in 2023. HS2 fly-through of the Phase One route... Bucks and Kilburn in north-west London Richard George joins HS2 design panel HS2 is a major UK infrastructure project that will link London to Birmingham. In June 2015, we announced that SNC-Lavalin’s rail consultancy had been appointed as rolling stock and depots design and technical adviser for the HS2 Project, working in partnership with Arup. Update Richard George, Group Managing Director at SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit Engineering, has been appointed to the independent design panel for the UK’s High Speed 2 (HS2) project – the nation’s second high-speed passenger rail link that will connect England’s two biggest cities. The panel will act as the project’s independent advisor and help it deliver on its key design principals. Chaired by Sadie Morgan, panel members bring expertise in a number of areas including engineering – Richard had previously given his input into the design of the HS1 rail project. Depending on the passage of the HS2 Parliamentary Bill, which passed its third reading in the House of Commons on 23 March, construction could start as soon as 2017. Richard will be one of a panel including internationally renowned architects, experts on urban, landscape and inclusion, along with brand, digital, product and sustainability gurus. He will not provide comment on rolling stock matters. snclavalin.com ©HS2 LtdVideo to blow up to this size