The City of Edinburgh Council invites contractors to tender for Tram line extension deals

The City of Edinburgh Council is now inviting contractors to tender for two contract lots on the proposed tram line extension from York Place to Newhaven.The council is seeking “a suitably qualified and experienced contractor with extensive experience of design and construction of urban light railways in a dense city centre environment” and with “considerable traffic management experience”.Works on Lot 1 are expected to include 2.8 miles of track , overhead lines, road, path and bridge works, adding two substations and eight new tram stops as well as the demolition of the existing tram stop at York Place.A separate tender is inviting bids for the Swept Path Contract to clear the proposed tram line extension of underground utilities and obstructions, including archaeological, either by means of removal or diversion.The tender process is expected to shortlist four qualifying bidders by February 2018 and councillors will make a final decision on whether to proceed with the works in the autumn of next year.Councillors approved a £3.5 million development proposal for the line extension last December following a decision in principal the previous month to extend the tram network to Newhaven, which at most recent estimates would cost £165.2 million.A further £1.75 million was also set aside to secure land required for the line extension.If the line extension is approved, work is expected to take around three years to complete with trams expected to take first passengers to Leith in the first half of 2022.