The ambitious project to build a new entrance to the train station in Leeds is taking shape. The £17.4m project kicked off in December 2013.
The first sign of activity was the arrival of dozens of huge concrete blocks. Part of the area on Granary Wharf was fenced off and we were underway!
It was a quiet start but, by April, a huge floating pontoon was in place on the River Aire. The pieces are all delivered to an area out towards Asda’s offices, then floated up river to the site at Granary Wharf.
The Dark Arches were built between 1866 and 1869. Cutting into the base of the structure must have been a nervy moment.
This was taken in May, by which time, some impressive kit was assembled on the river.
By the end of May, a series of piles for the foundations have been driven into the river bed.
As we entered July and Yorkshire focussed on the Tour De France, starting a few hundred yards away, the foundations were growing steadily.
By the end of the month, work was progressing underwater!
Three weeks later, a concrete base has been added to one of the giant supports. A steel cage is then built like a huge meccano set.
This week, almost a year since building started, the two giant, concrete bases are in place. The project is really taking shape now. More work is going on under the arches but behind closed doors. The project is due to complete next summer. Once open, around 20% of passengers at the country’s second busiest station outside London will use the entrance. I will continue to take photos over the coming months and post again as it nears completion. There is a great time lapse film of the construction here.
FFF