COWI has been involved in all previous studies, hereunder development of the conceptual and the preliminary design of two alternatives, which were the basis for decision, approval and subsequent funding by the Danish government.
The most technically complicated contractThe project focused on assessment and development of two optional alternatives: An extension of part of the existing railway line over Roskilde city (an extension of an approx. 20km long section) and a construction of an entirely new 60 km long railway line over Køge.
The project has been divided into different contracts and tendered in restricted procedures. As a sole consultant COWI won the most technically complicated contract comprising a construction of the new railway line (approximately 30 km long section between Copenhagen and Solrød), and in joint venture with Atkins COWI won the contract including an extension of the existing railway line (approximately 20 km long section between Vigerslevvej and Hedehusene).
Multidisciplinary servicesFor the new railway line COWI's services included conceptual and preliminary design of the line including track alignment, structures (bridges and tunnels), relocation of roads, replacement of existing utility lines, soil investigations and analyses of areas affected by the railway line.
For the extended railway section COWI’s consultancy included the same services except track alignment. Furthermore, as a sole consultant and under separate packages/contracts, COWI developed visualisations of proposed solutions, carried out noise and environmental impact assessment and assisted the customer in the public hearings.
A multitude of technical challengesThe existing line as well as part of the new railway line passes through very densely populated and industrialised areas and represented huge challenges in terms of alignment, replacement or improvement of existing structures and civil works, relocation of public utilities, expropriation, noise, traffic flow and safety issues.
PricingFor the new railway line project the greatest challenge was to describe correctly the layout of the lines and calculate the right price. For the extended railway section the greatest challenge was to design and price optimal solutions for rebuilding of structures and civil works to be constructed parallel to existing tracks in operation.
COWI presented the customer with a number of possible combinations to enable the customer to make the right decisions. Gradually, more and more layout combinations were being discarded, until the client had a clear picture of the solution desired.
Construction of the new railway lineBased on the presented alternatives, the Danish Government has decided to construct an entirely new railway line over Køge.
