Work progressing on the Ordsall Chord

Work is progressing rapidly on site at the Ordsall Chord, a new section of railway which will connect Piccadilly and Victoria stations in Manchester for the first time.

Demolitions are underway and the first concrete abutments being cast. The steelwork for the bridges and viaducts is also moving forward, the new footbridge is being assembled on site, the bridges over the ring road are ready for erection and the main arches are being fabricated for the railway bridge over the River Irwell.

The scheme is part of the Northern Hub project which will unlock new railway routes, improve connections and provide faster journey times across the north of England. BDP is designing all the major architectural and urban elements of the project in Manchester which also includes improvement and expansion work at Oxford Road and Piccadilly Stations, and a major overhaul of Victoria Station which opened in October.

The ribbon form of the new bridges complements and contrasts with the fine qualities of the surrounding historic buildings. The use of pre-weathered steel blends with the surrounding viaducts, and a sequence of public realm spaces are created around the new and historic structures which will form the heart of neighbouring regeneration projects. The completion date is December 2017 when passengers should be able to use the new route.