VIDEO | Airport tops out at T2 extension

Manchester Airport has reported construction milestones in its £1bn transformation programme, with the Terminal Two extension topping out and a link bridge being lifted into place.

A topping out ceremony has been held to mark the extension to Terminal Two reaching its highest point after just more than a year of construction. The terminal is more than doubling in size through the project, which will make it one of the busiest in Europe.

Secondly, a 45m, 85 tonne bridge that will connect the terminal extension with the new multi-storey car park was lifted into place. It took four days and two cranes to install the link, which will open to passengers when the extension opens in 2020.

Andrew Cowan, chief executive of Manchester Airport, said: “It is exciting to mark these milestones as they demonstrate how much progress has been made on our transformation programme since starting work just more than a year ago.

“Hopefully this gives our customers an appreciation of how soon they will be able to start making use of these new facilities.

“This scheme will be transformational, not just in terms of the buildings being created, but the experience we will be able to deliver to passengers and airlines.

“It is also making a major contribution to skills and employment in the region and that is why it was great to share the occasion with many of the people who are working on the project.”

Bury business William Hare, which erected the steelwork for the original Terminal Two building that opened in 1993, has also been engaged on the extended Terminal Two building and pier link by main contractor Laing O’Rourke.

The extension is set over five floors and will see 844 glass panels installed to provide passengers with panoramic views of the airfield.

Work will now start on making the building watertight, before fitting out for passengers to use from 2020. It will have an extra 60 retail and F&B units. The first pier is set to open in April 2019 and will shortly start to undergo operational readiness trials.

Bryan Glass Laing O’Rourke’s programme director, said: “We began construction works last summer, so to see the main structures of the multi-storey car park and new terminal extension reach their highest points – with a link bridge successfully installed over the weekend is incredible.

“It’s testament to the hard work of all the skilled construction and engineering professionals working every day out on site, to our supply chain, consultant partners and of course to our client, Manchester Airport.”