In 2008 MPT, a joint venture between VolkerFitzpatrick (Rail) and Laing O’Rourke in consortium with Thales, secured the design, construction and maintenance contract to deliver the network expansion of Manchester Metrolink. The project developed tram lines to Media City, South Manchester, East Manchester and Oldham Rochdale as well as a new depot facility at Trafford Bar.
In January 2017, VolkerGround Engineering began a £230,000 contract for MPT to undertake works on the Manchester Metrolink Trafford Park Line, extending the current line from Pomona to Trafford Park.
The contract included the installation of 130 AZ-46 sheet piles up to 11.5 metres long, creating a new retaining wall structure.
The works were completed using an ABI 16/20 rig, 50-tonne all-terrain mobile crane and a CX85 impact hammer.
The works on the Trafford Park Line were one of several Manchester Metrolink projects that VolkerGround Engineering has undertaken.
The initial works on the Trafford Park Line were completed in February 2017, with additional phases following in 2018.