Bauer Technologies, a subsidiary of the BAUER Group, has been awarded a piling contract for the “delta junction” structure of the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension scheme.
Specifically, Bauer Technologies has been asked to install deep Rock Socketed Rotary Bored Piles, to support the abutment of the access road flyover bridge over the Wednesbury Depot access road near Potters Lane in Sandwell.
The work will involve installing the 1000mm bearing piles through Glacial Till and the Pennine Middle Coal Measures Formation, down to an approximate depth of 54.5m from PPL. The piles will be drilled to a designed toe level through mudstones, siltstones, bands of strong sandstone and worked coal seams. Additionally, the piles will be cased with approximately 37m of 1180mm casing, to ensure the upper worked levels are supported whilst the lower part of the rock socket is drilled.
The activity, like the project itself, is complex, with works required to be carried out in a space-restricted area, as well as having to preserve access to both the ramp structure currently under construction and the adjacent Metro Depot, throughout the programme. Innovative 3D planning will ensure that working arrangements and unforeseen precautions can be factored into site operations.
Speaking about the project, Michael Jones, Managing Director, Bauer Technologies, said: “The award of this contract follows a successful programme of work on other elements of this project, and it is great to have secured further foundation works.
“Notably, the project will be completed by one of the largest piling rigs in UK; a BG45 Premium Line Bauer rig, complete with an extended mast and a 64m Kelly bar. Piling works will be serviced by a 100t telescopic crane, working under Network Rail Working restrictions.”
The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension will boost public transport in the Black Country, providing much-needed links to the existing heavy and light rail networks, and helping to connect people to education, training and career opportunities further afield in the West Midlands. The route is being designed and built by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of Transport for West Midlands.
When the first phase of the route opens to the public in late 2024, an additional nine stops will be added to the West Midlands Metro network linking people in Dudley town centre to both Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
For information about Bauer Technologies and its capabilities, visit www.bauertech.co.uk and for more on the Metro expansions in the West Midlands, please visit www.metroalliance.co.uk.