Metrolink trams will be running to Exchange Square before Christmas, with work gathering pace to finish the new city centre Metrolink stop in the run up to the busy festive period.
Work is now well advanced on the new Exchange Square stop, taking shape on Corporation Street outside Manchester Arndale, as part of Metrolink’s transformational Second City Crossing.
A significant milestone, the opening of the new Exchange Square stop will allow Metrolink to run more frequent trams between Shaw and Crompton, Oldham and the city, ahead of the whole Second City Crossing being completed in 2017.
Work to build the stop and lay new Second City Crossing tracks on the section of the new line between Manchester Victoria and Exchange Square was fast-tracked thanks a major European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant.
The stop’s ‘island-style’ platform structure with fully accessible ramp is now substantially complete. Tram tracks have been laid either side of the stop and a striking coloured steel and glass canopy – with four ‘floating’ overlapping glazed roof panels – has also been installed.
On stop ‘furniture’ such as passenger information displays and seating is being integrated into polished concrete columns to give the stop a clean, uncluttered design.
Councillor Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council and Transport Lead for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “The new Exchange Square stop is already looking impressive and it will be a great addition to this busy area of the city.
“In the short term it means a more frequent service between Shaw and Crompton, Oldham and the city centre but crucially, in future, the completed Second City Crossing will allow Metrolink to run more frequent and reliable tram services through our expanding city.
An opening date for the stop will be confirmed by TfGM nearer the time.
