The Belfast Grand Central Station project, a collaboration between contractor Farrans Sacyr JV, designer Arup, and client Translink, celebrated a significant milestone with the topping-out ceremony. This signified the completion of the main building’s steel frame. The new transport hub is in Weavers Cross, a new neighbourhood in the city centre. It will thus replace the current Europa bus centre and Great Victoria Street train station. With funding from the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure, the £105 million project aims to create a placemaking project and the largest integrated transport facility on the island of Ireland.
Belfast Grand Central Station will serve as a multimodal transport hub. Once constructed, it will feature 26 bus ports, eight train platforms, and bike lanes to promote sustainable mobility. Arup was initially appointed in 2014 to lead the entire master planning process, from concept to design. Their multidisciplinary teams include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, public health, transport planning, facades, acoustics, fire, and environment experts. They have all been instrumental in bringing the dynamic mixed-mode hub to life. The station has also been designed to achieve BREEAM and CEEQUAL Excellent accreditation. Thus, it highlights its sustainability credentials.
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Belfast Grand Central Station’s Construction and Completion Date
Despite setbacks caused by Covid-19 and supply chain challenges due to inflationary pressures, the project remains on track for completion in 2025. Arup continues to support Translink in the delivery stages of the project’s multi-modal transport facility works, with the opening of the Busway Bridge as the next major milestone, expected in August. This bridge will enhance connectivity and accessibility by allowing buses to cross over railway lines. Seamlessly, it will integrate different modes of public transportation.
Chris Caves, Arup‘s north transport group leader, expressed pride in reaching this milestone moment for Belfast Grand Central Station. He also highlighted the years of design and meticulous planning that has gone into the project. Arup is honoured to contribute to the regeneration and future legacy of the area, prioritising sustainability throughout its development in collaboration with project partners.
