GRAND Central Station, Belfast’s new transport hub, has reached a significant milestone.
Due to be completed in 2025, the last bolt in the building's steel infrastructure was put in place this week.
Spanish infrastructure giant Sacyr and local construction outfit Farrans were awarded the major contract in 2022.
Work on the £175 million scheme, which is being built between the Europa Bus Station and Belfast’s West Link, has been ongoing for a number of years, with Graham and Babock previously involved in the enabling works.
When completed, the station will be the largest integrated transport facility on the island of Ireland.
The Executive flagship project will feature 26 new bus stands and eight railway platforms.
There are also plans in place for a speculative development surrounding the new transport hub.
Read more
- Belfast's Central Station to be largest transport hub on the island of Ireland
- Sacyr and Farrans joint venture awarded contract for main works at Belfast Transport Hub
- Outline approval for Belfast's new 'city neighbourhood' Weavers Cross
The Weavers Cross project secured outline planning approval last year.
Massive in scale, the outline application would open the door for up to 1.3 million sq ft of mixed-use office, residential, hotel and retail/leisure space to be developed across a 30-acre site between the Europa bus station and the West Link.
Subject to investment from the private sector, Translink have indicated the entire project could take 20 years to complete and involve a capital spend of around £313.8m, potentially creating around 4,280 jobs.
Speaking after a ceremonial tightening of the last bolt in the highest point of the steel structure of the transport hub, Translink boss Chris Conway, said: “It is becoming evident now the facility is taking shape, just how impressive the new station will be once it is complete, and it is certainly attracting a lot of interest,” he said.
“When completed in 2025 it will be the largest integrated transport facility on the island of Ireland and will contribute to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of Northern Ireland and Belfast.”
