WSP win Trinidad railway job

Two lines will be built, linking Port of Spain to the south and east

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The Trinidad and Tobago government's infrastructure company, NIDCO, has awarded the contract to manage the construction of its new railway system to consultants WSP.

Two high-speed lines will be built, the first linking the capital Port of Spain to San Fernando in the south, and the second linking Port of Spain with Sangre Grande in the east.

There will be some 105km of rail, with 10 stations and approximately 20km of viaducts.

WSP will give technical advice to the Government as project manager for the 'design, build, operate and maintain' contract, won the by the French 'Trinitrain' consortium of Bouygues, Alstom and Ratp. 

The first phase, worth a total of £35M, will be to make detailed proposals - to undertake feasibility studies, and to identify potential routes, siting of stations and selection of rolling stock. This phase should last 20 months.

WSP has a team of ten resident consultants, with further support from offices in Sweden and the UK as required. Work has started, with a series of workshops with the client, contractor and other stakeholders. 

The locomotive that took the last train to San Fernando

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Project manager for WSP, Vic Stevens, who is based in Trinidad, says:  "We're very proud to have been appointed to this important project, which will make a real difference to the lives of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. 

"Traffic congestion in the morning and evening peaks can last up to 4 hours each way starting as early as 06:00 in the morning on most days with some people having to commute for 6 to 8 hours a day while travelling only 50 miles. 

"By linking Port of Spain to the main commuter towns across the island of Trinidad the railway will be important to the future prosperity of Trinidad and Tobago while doubtlessly being the catalyst for major development outside of Port of Spain," he said.

Trinidad formerly had a railway system, but it was closed in 1968, phased-out due to the popularity of the car.