In 2018, VolkerFitzpatrick began a joint venture with Kier to undertake the Luton DART project in Bedfordshire.
The Luton DART will be a doubleshuttle, Fully Automated people Mover (APM) based on latest system technology and design innovation. It will be capable of operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Luton DART will transport passengers between Luton Airport Parkway station and London Luton Airport.
VolkerGround Engineering was awarded a £1.5m contract to install concrete piles on the Luton DART build. The team will be providing additional programme support to VolkerFitzpatrick-Kier.
These piling works, which included reinforcing full length 1,050mm diameter piles to a depth of 20m, to the central terminal, stretched the boundaries normally achieved in Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piling.
We have also completed the installation of 750mm diameter CFA piles to the Parkway section. The works were completed using the Soilmec SR95 dual purpose piling rig.
Future concrete piling includes abutment and pier works to enable the construction of a bridge.
The works on Luton DART are taking place in a noise sensitive environment. VolkerGround Engineering are reducing the noise impact using specialist equipment which minimises noise and vibration.
VolkerGround Engineering’s work on this project is planned for completion in Autumn 2019. The overall Luton Airport DART works are planned for completion in August 2021.