Supporting Transport Connectivity to the UK’s Busiest Airport
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Jacobs
Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) announced today that it was
awarded a contract by Network
Rail to support its proposed new rail link from the west of England
to London Heathrow airport, United Kingdom.
The proposed Western Rail Access to Heathrow includes a new direct,
double track link between the Great Western main line at Langley in
Berkshire (16 miles west of Paddington Station in London) into Terminal
5 at Heathrow airport. The link is expected to provide greater
connectivity from south Wales, the west of England and the Thames
Valley; making journeys faster, reducing congestion on other routes, and
providing significant economic benefits for businesses in the region.
The project also aims to reduce CO2 emissions by the
equivalent of a million road passenger trips to and from Heathrow.
Company officials did not disclose the contract value, but noted that
the work is being executed over the next 12 months from Jacobs’ offices
in the UK.
Under the terms of the contract, Jacobs is producing a design for
Network Rail’s Development Consent Order, which is expected to be
submitted in early 2016. Jacobs’ scope of work includes topographical
surveys and geotechnical investigations, tunneling design for the new
3.1 mile (5 km) route, and railway systems designs for track and
overhead line equipment.
Network Rail’s Signaling Design Group is producing the signaling design
for system integration by Jacobs as lead designer. Jacobs is also
providing environmental surveys and impact assessment (EIA) to inform
optimization of the tunnel route and location and design of surface
structures. An environmental mitigation program is being developed as
part of the EIA to minimize impact on local residents and the
environment during both construction and operation phases.
Jacobs Group Vice President Bob Duff stated, “Jacobs is delighted to
continue to leverage our global rail experience on this planned project.
We look forward to contributing tangible solutions to support Network
Rail’s emphasis on sustainable design at the heart of the new rail link.”
Jacobs delivered pre-feasibility and feasibility studies in the early
planning stage of the project which identified significant potential
cost savings. Currently in public consultation, if the Western Rail
Access plans are approved, it is expected that the new service would be
in operation by 2021.
One of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of technical
professional and construction services, Jacobs has worked with Network
Rail and its predecessors for over four decades, supporting projects
across infrastructure, operations, and asset management. Jacobs delivers
advice and support throughout the guide to rail investment process
(GRIP), from early feasibility to construction management to operations.
Jacobs has worked on Blackfriars Station, the Thameslink program
(including KO2 and London Bridge station), Stratford Station, and
Waterloo International Terminal.
Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact
are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements
on management’s current estimates and expectations as well as currently
available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking
statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of
factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our
forward-looking statements. For a description of some of the factors
which may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our
forward-looking statements please refer to our 2014 Form 10-K, and in
particular the discussions contained under Items 1 - Business, 1A - Risk
Factors, 3 - Legal Proceedings, and 7 - Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. We do not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements made herein.
Source: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.