FAST TJV achieves milestones

(source: Strukton int. sharepoint news site)

A year ago, the Track Joint Venture [TJV] completed around 3.9 km of single track slab across line 4 and 6. At the end of September this year, TJV has progressed up to around 58.7 km with all work fronts and key activities ongoing. Now the temperature has finally dropped, these activities do also include final shimming and de-stressing of the running rails.

At 5 simultaneously running work area's (mainline 4, 5 and 6 and depot 4/6 and 5), a total workforce of around 1300 workers and staff are performing 20 out of 24 hours, almost 6 to 7 days a week. These efforts, combined with collaboration and good teamwork,  have resulted in a significant contribution by TJV for this challenging mega project.

The first half of 2017 has been turbulent and challenging by adjusting schedules, project- and design document approvals, merging construction windows, optimizing work methods and a continuously increase of resources across the whole spectrum.  Nowadays, TJV is cruising at a more consistent production rate in line with the schedules and substantial completion is expected for August 2018.

Next month, TJV will reach peak production and will be capable of constructing around 10 to11 km of completed trackslab per month including 3rd rail and cable ducts. With this construction rate, the FAST Consortium will stay at pole position compared to the other Consortia and during next month the halfway point will be crossed.

HSE and Quality performance is also at an acceptable level which is remarkable when taking into account the fact that track geometry specifications are similar to High Speed Lines (+/- 2MM tolerance on track gauge).

This significant progress has been recognized by all internal and external stakeholders and is also boosting confidence that TJV will deliver successfully her scope of work. Therefore the overall outlook for TJV is positive but close progress monitoring is paramount as potential delays from other Entities will have adverse impact on overall progress.

An important project milestone was due for 12th of October and has been successfully achieved by TJV. The infrastructure for the test track at depot 4/6, including access from the stabling building,  has been completed. Tracks and 3rd/Conductor Rail are now available for TSY to install and test rail systems such as signalling, power supply and scada. With this milestone achieved, the project is on schedule to start test runs with trains in automated modus beginning of December.

Another key milestone is due for 18th of October to deliver the infrastructure to shunt and store trains at the end of line 4. Based on current progress trains can be shunted via one track from Depot 4/6 to station 4G1 and stored on temporarily track behind this station. The second track is on schedule to deliver at the end of October. The infrastructure between Depot 4/6 and station 4G1 is crucial scope for the overall project progress as this section is related to the first contractual Partial Trail Run milestone (planned commencement date October 2018).  During this period, trains will be fully operated, without passengers, to demonstrate a safe and functional transport system to the Client.

A next milestone update will follow during December when paving works is due for completion at line 5.

Well done to everyone involved and keep up the good work as a Team!
(Red: Sander Hagenbeek)