The contract award is worth £95 million (US$131 million) and at peak production, the works will require over 200 experts in ground engineering and foundations, working in a number of varied site locations.

EKFB is a joint venture of four international infrastructure companies; Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall, which is building the C23 section of the new high-speed line between London and the West Midlands. The C23 section consists of 80km of high-speed rail infrastructure, including 15 viaducts, over 80 bridges, 7km of green tunnels and 30 million cubic metres of excavation.

BKJV's scope of work is to construct piled foundations for the structures, as well as the construction of secant piled and slurry walls and the installation of pressure relief drains.

BKJV has already completed initial preliminary pile testing works and teams are focused on a mobilisation to site to commence main works this month. The contract is expected to be completed in 2024.

Michael Jones - MD, Bauer Technologies said: "After two and a half years of working collaboratively with EKFB in the planning phase of this project, we are excited to make a start on the main works of this section, for what is Europe's largest infrastructure project. Bauer and Keller have great synergy and a similar culture which makes us perfect partners for each other.''

Jim De Waele, Keller president Europe, added: "BKJV is a return to our successful partnership with Bauer having previously worked together on the London Underground and Crossrail station projects. We're excited to bring our complementary geotechnical capabilities, experience and capacity to one of the most demanding and exciting transport projects in Europe."

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