The Chord, which includes a 300-metre section of new track, will open up new direct routes to Manchester Airport from across the north and ease congestion, creating space for more trains to run. It will also link Manchester’s Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria stations.
During this time 250km of new signalling cables have been commissioned – completing one of the most complicated signalling jobs of the last 40 years in the north west.
The workforce worked around the clock to install:
•3km of new overhead wiring
•8 new sets of switches and crossings
•1km of new track installed
•9,000 tonnes of new ballast
•along with lifting 500 tonnes of new steel in to place for two new bridges
Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail said: “The benefits of the Ordsall Chord will be felt for generations by customers as far off as Newcastle, Hull, Liverpool and countless other great towns and cities in the north.
“The far-reaching vision of this railway upgrade in central Manchester reflects and builds on that showed by the Victorians in the early 1800s when they built the railway we are now seeking to maintain and improve.”
He added: “I would like to thank train passengers for their understanding over the festive period. I would also remind everyone that the short-term pain of disruption to journeys will be worth the long-term gain the Ordsall Chord will bring.”
The Ordsall Chord is part of Network Rail’s +£1bn Rail Upgrade Plan to ensure passengers in the north can access more frequent trains and travel to their destination faster.