Trams to Manchester Airport to arrive more than a year early
The new Metrolink line to Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport will launch before the year is out - more than 12 months ahead of schedule. The 14.5km route, delivered by the MPT consortium, is one of the biggest live civil engineering projects in the country.
MPT Consortium
The MPT Consortium is formed of VolkerRail, Laing O'Rourke and Thales and has been appointed by TfGM to design, build and maintain the new Metrolink extensions.
Several major purpose-built structures have been built as part of the programme, including a viaduct over the Mersey Valley, two new bridges over the M60 and M56, and the Ringway Road dual carriageway and underpass at Manchester Airport.
Renewal and improvements
All of the existing highway and street lighting and road signs along the entire route have been renewed and significant urban realm improvements have been made around each of the line's 15 new stops. A 300-space Park and Ride facility at Sale Water Park, free for Metrolink passengers to use, will serve the line. Services will initially run between Manchester Airport and Cornbrook, every 12 minutes. They will start to run through the city centre once the Second City Crossing is complete in 2017.