The enabling works contracts cover a range of activities including utility diversions, ecology surveys, archaeology, establishing site compounds, site clearance, demolition, ground remediation, watercourse activities, highways realignments, monitoring and instrumentation, structural reinforcements and drainage.
Three packages of work are up for grabs, covering the northern, central and southern sections of the route. Work is expected to start on schedule in 2017.
The following have all been shortlisted for at least one package:
BBV JV – Balfour Beatty, Vinci Construction Grands Projets, Vinci Construction UK Limited, Vinci Construction Terrassement SAS
CEK JV – Carillion Construction, Eiffage Travaux Publics, Kier Infrastructure & Overseas
Costain Skanska JV – Costain, Skanska Construction
LM – Laing O’Rourke, J Murphy & Sons

Morgan Sindall / BAM Nuttall / Ferrovial JV
Align JV – BouyguesTravaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, Morrison Utility Services, Volkerfitzpatrick
Momentum Infrastructure – Galliford Try Infrastructure, Hochtief Infrastructure, Dragados
The shortlisted bidders are expected to be invited to tender in the spring, with contract award later in the year.
HS2 Ltd chief executive Simon Kirby said: “Today’s shortlist marks an important milestone as we move towards the start of construction in 2017 and a real boost for the UK construction industry.
“Over the course of the next few years, the winning bidders will go on to employ thousands of people on site and in the supply chain, preparing the ground for the start of major civil engineering.
“Announcing the shortlist now will help give business the certainty they need to push on with their bids, start to put in place supply chains and invest in recruitment, training and education ahead of the start of construction.”
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