BAM, in partnership with Ferrovial, has been awarded three major contracts to design and construct the track infrastructure for the UK’s high-speed railway project, HS2. The contracts, forming part of a £3 billion package announced by HS2 Ltd in November, mark a pivotal step in the project’s development. The Ferrovial BAM Joint Venture will deliver a critical section of the route, enhancing connectivity and creating thousands of jobs across the country.
Delivering 140 Miles of High-Speed Track
The joint venture will oversee the design and installation of approximately 280 miles of track between Old Oak Common in London and Birmingham Curzon Street station. These tracks will be capable of supporting train speeds of up to 225 mph (360 km/h). The contract also includes responsibilities as the principal contractor for track-related works, encompassing logistics management, testing, and commissioning.
Spanning 140 miles of the high-speed route, this undertaking represents one of the most significant rail infrastructure projects in the UK. The contract builds on BAM and Ferrovial’s 14-year history of delivering complex infrastructure projects together, including the Crossrail and Silvertown Tunnel projects.
John Wilkinson, COO of BAM UK and Ireland, emphasized the importance of the project:
“We’re proud to continue our work on one of the UK’s most vital infrastructure projects with our longstanding partner, Ferrovial. This next phase brings us closer to making reliable, long-distance rail services accessible to more people, creating growth and jobs across the UK. This contract underscores BAM’s expertise in high-quality rail infrastructure and aligns with our mission to build a sustainable tomorrow.”
Collaborative Rail Systems for Seamless Integration
The project will operate under a collaborative Rail Systems Alliance framework, ensuring effective coordination between contractors to manage interfaces and resolve scheduling or logistical conflicts. This integrated approach enables the design, access, and resource planning to align with shared cost and timeline goals.
Building on a History of Excellence
The Ferrovial BAM Joint Venture has demonstrated its ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects efficiently. Their partnership began in 2010 with the Crossrail project, where they delivered the longest stretch of tunneling works and Farringdon Station, the first central station completed on the Elizabeth Line. The team has also successfully undertaken other HS2 phases, such as enabling works (Fusion JV) and main works (EKFB JV).
This new contract builds on that legacy, advancing HS2’s vision of transforming UK rail travel and supporting regional growth.
Jobs and Economic Impact
The HS2 rail systems package, valued at approximately £3 billion, is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. The design phase for the track infrastructure will run alongside the ongoing completion of main works contracts, ensuring readiness to mobilize as civil works are finalized.
