BAUER Technologies Ltd, a subsidiary of the BAUER Group, has been awarded the ground improvement contract by MPB Structures, as part of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension project, to minimise settlements under the planned tramway junction, situated in Wednesbury.

The Midland Metro Alliance, which is designing and building a number of Metro extensions on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), have started work on the 11km extension that will branch off the current West Midlands Metro line, just east of the Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop, before heading through Tipton and Dudley. 

Grace Hayward, Assistant Delivery Manager at Midland Metro Alliance, said:  “The Metro extension is eagerly awaited, as it really will boost public transport in the Black Country, so it is great to have Bauer Technologies on board to assist with this part of the work .”

Specifically, Bauer Technologies’ scope of works is to stabilise historic granular and cohesive embankment fill material, to minimise settlements under the planned Delta Junction approach ramp. This project will see the new tram line elevated by six meters to join the existing track level.

Commenting on the project, Michael Jones, Managing Director, Bauer Technologies, added: “Bauer Technologies is pleased to be involved in this project, which combines both ground improvement and piling works. Having all techniques available under one roof means fewer interfaces for our client and allows us to focus on the right approach for the job. Bauer Technologies has vast experience working in the UK rail sector, which we will bring to bear in this project.”

The ground improvement will be installed by means of Ø2000mm Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) columns, using a BG45 piling rig and associated grout mixing plant. Bauer commenced works on site during December 2021 and is scheduled to complete the works by spring 2022.

For more information about BAUER Technologies Ltd, visit www.bauertech.co.uk and to keep up to date with progress on the Metro extension, visit www.metroalliance.co.uk.