Work to lay new tram tracks along Cross Street between King Street and the junction with Princess Street and John Dalton Street is now complete and the roads reopened this morning.
On Monday 4 April, the Metrolink contractor will start preparation work to lay tracks along Princess Street, which will require the road to be closed temporarily to all through traffic from Clarence Street to Cooper Street. The day before (Sunday 3 April), Peter Street and Oxford Street will reopen to two way traffic between Mount Street and Portland Street.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “The start of work along Princess Street will be a major step forward for the Second City Crossing, moving us into the final construction phase as we progress towards joining tram track already laid in St Peter’s Square and Cross Street.
“I’d like to thank businesses, residents, workers and commuters for their continued patience.
“Ultimately, they will be the ones who reap the benefits of our investment, as the new Second City Crossing will provide the capacity to move millions more people around our growing city region to shop, work, dine out and enjoy everything Greater Manchester has to offer.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “There’s a real sense that this major project is entering the final phase as Cross Street reopens and the final stretch of works on Princess Street get underway. The completion of the line will also mark the end of the transformation of St Peter’s Square – bringing a significant new city centre public space into use.”
In December last year, the first section of the Second City Crossing opened between Victoria Station and a new stop at Exchange Square – thanks to a grant from the North West England European Regional Development Fund Programme.
The route will continue along Cross Street and Princess Street where trams will run into a new and expanded tram stop currently being built at St Peter’s Square, due to open to services later this year.
