Engineers have successfully tested new track on a 2.7km stretch of the Midland Metro line to Wolverhampton St George’s.
Overhead lines on the Bilston Road stretch have been turned on for the first time since June and a tram tested, marking the culmination of six months of track renewal works.
The project saw more than 100 workers break out road and existing track, which was built in the 1990s and was reaching the end of its operational life, to install replacement drainage systems and a concrete base.
The replacement rails were then laid and welded into place after which the remaining concrete and road surface was installed and the traffic and tram signalling reinstated.
Midland Metro said that the works, undertaken by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, were necessary to ensure the tramway could continue to be safely operated ahead of the introduction of catenary free trams in 2018.
Should plans go ahead as scheduled, the tram service to Wolverhampton St George’s is set to resume on December 10.
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