High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd is inviting contractors interested in designing and constructing its planned Automated People Mover (APM) in the West Midlands to a market engagement exercise.

Companies interested in delivering the infrastructure behind HS2’s 2.4km long elevated transport system, designed to boost the high-speed railway’s connectivity in the West Midlands, are being invited to take part in this exercise starting today.

The scope for the infrastructure contract covers the design, supply, construction and installation of the civil works, systems and architecture of the mass transit system. This includes the construction of a viaduct, maintenance facility building and APM stops at the HS2 Interchange Station in Solhull, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport.

Once appointed, the successful contractor will be tasked with the detailed design and delivery of the piers, viaducts, the APM’s four stops, the APM maintenance facility and all temporary works. HS2 expects to award the contract in 2028, with construction, system installation and testing forecast to be carried out between 2028 and 2030.

Ahead of the formal procurement process, which is expected to launch in early 2026, HS2 is assessing the capacity of global suppliers to deliver the APM, which will carry passengers to and from the new high-speed station in Solihull.

The APM network is a vital component of the HS2 project as its four stops will connect HS2’s Interchange station, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport.

It will further provide a link for regional, national and international passengers travelling between HS2’s Interchange Station and the conventional rail network.

As the route traverses the M42 and West Coast Main Line, the APM will also have to be built on a viaduct to minimise impacts to the existing major road and rail network.

Piers ranging in height from 6m to 14m will be supported by a series of structural columns that repeat at spans of 40m. The columns range in type to accommodate the APM’s varying single track, twin track and split track infrastructure.

Three of the four APM stops will be built on the viaduct, while the Interchange Station stop will be at ground level. Key design features include the series of reinforced central concrete piers, a weathered steel deck and escape walkway gratings across the length of the track. The viaduct structure combines both single and twin track paths at various points along the route to allow trains to pass each other.

The APM stops at Birmingham Airport and at Interchange Station each have a single platform face and the intermediate stops at the NEC and Birmingham International station will have two platform faces. The platforms vary from 36m to 40m in length and all platforms are fully covered with canopies and provide step free access.

The APM is designed to accommodate a minimum of 2,100 people per hour in each direction, with future capacity provision for 3,900 people.

Suppliers interested in bidding for the APM Infrastructure contract are invited to take part in HS2’s market engagement exercise. The supporting SmartSurvey, which is open now and closes on Tuesday 23 April 2024 at 5pm, enables contractors to register their interest in the opportunity and provide feedback on the proposed work package.