April 2009
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Woolwich Arsenal Extension has scooped the ICE London Merit Award for Infrastructure.
The judges were particularly impressed with the quality of the scheme, and the totally co-ordinated team through design, build and commissioning.
Undertaken as a joint venture between Morgan Est and Colas Rail, and with Halcrow as designer, the DLR Extension to Woolwich Arsenal provides a modern and reliable public transport link from Woolwich Arsenal to King George V, and onto Canary Wharf, as well as connections into the London Underground network.
The total collaboration across the team, contributed to the project opening to revenue service seven weeks ahead of schedule.
Halcrow project manager, Andy Alder said: “This DLR Woolwich Extension was delivered through the ability and experience of the whole team who worked on it. This award is a testament to their hard work and desire to work as a team.”
The extension comprises 2.5km of new railway in a pair of parallel tunnels under the River Thames, connecting to a new underground station at Woolwich Arsenal. The new station is integrated with the existing Network Rail station at Woolwich which was partially upgraded as part of the project.
Construction of the new link took place in a congested urban environment, adjacent to sensitive buildings, and passed under critical utilities and the North Kent railway line. Buildings were protected and all services maintained throughout the project.
Halcrow project director, Alan Runacres said: “I am delighted that through the joint efforts of Halcrow, Morgan Est and our sub consultants we managed to open it seven weeks ahead of schedule, and I’m very pleased that we have been recognised through this award. This was a great project to work on and it is already delivering day-to-day benefits for the residents of Woolwich.”