Boris Johnson announces contract award and start date

Mace has been awarded the contract to build and operate a cable car across the Thames, as tipped by Building.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced the £50.5m contract award yesterday, saying:

“This innovative airborne travel link will be a vital component in the ongoing renaissance of a vibrant easterly quarter of the capital, providing a much needed river crossing.

“I am thrilled we are full steam ahead to start work on this project.”

The cable car crossing will link the O2 Arena in Greenwich with the Excel centre in the Royal Docks.

Mace will lead a construction team on the project that includes Austrian cable car specialist Dopplemayr, Watson Steel, URS Scott Wilson, Buro Happold and Aedas.

The project has drawn criticism because of escalating costs and delays that mean it is unlikely to be ready for the 2012 Olympics, as originally envisaged.

However the consortium has stated an ambitious aim to deliver the scheme before the Olympics. Construction on the project is set to begin in the summer.

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