Olympic Delivery Authority Building the Olympic Park 200511 July 201 1

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It was fantastic to visit the Olympic Stadium today its a very impressive venue and I cant wait to come and compete here in 2012. My goal is to be the fastest man on the planet and I would love to set a new world record here at London 2012. The British public are sport mad and I know they will create a fantastic atmosphere for the athletes.
Oscar Pistorius Paralympic gold medallist, on visiting the Olympic Stadium, May 2011

I feel proud to be chosen to be part of the Construction Crew and am looking forward to learning more about the Olympics as I love sport. It was amazing to see the Olympic Stadium so close, its huge!
Monique Construction Crew Graduate, Gainsborough Primary School, September 2010

I believe that those competing here in 2012 will not be disappointed. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the construction of Londons Olympic Stadium for producing a truly outstanding sporting arena. When filled with fans at Games time, I am certain that the atmosphere will drive many of the competitors to achieve new personal bests and create unique moments of Olympic history.
Frank Fredericks International Olympic Committee Athletes Commission Chairman and Olympian on visiting the Olympic Stadium to lay the final piece of turf, March 2011

Having been involved in a very small way in the design process in the early stages, its amazing to see the Velodrome finally completed It gives me a feel for what its going to be like in a year and a halfs time. I cant wait!
Sir Chris Hoy Triple Olympic gold medallist, February 2011

It was spectacular to get up close I think the Olympic Park is incredible to the venues that weve seen and I am delighted that I have been develop over the last four years. involved from the very beginning. It was particularly special to stand The area I know so well is being at the end of the 100m straight in transformed, the amazing dream is the Olympic Stadium with John Regis. becoming a reality and I have seen Im looking forward to coming back first-hand how much hard work has in 2012. gone into the project. This is great for the East End and for sport. Siobhan McDermott
Hackney resident, 100,000th visitor to the Olympic Park, September 2010 David Beckham Former England football captain, on visiting the Olympic Park, November 2010

On time

Big build complete July 2011

Within budget
7 .25bn the budget for the construction works delivered by the Olympic Delivery Authority currently forecast July 2011

Foreword

This book tells a remarkable story. Within the space of just five years, forty thousand people have helped create an entirely new quarter of London, built some of the most inspiring sporting venues ever seen, and written a new chapter in the history of sustainability and cutting-edge design. The achievement is all the more remarkable considering where the project started. Back in 2005, the Olympic Park site was largely a derelict wasteland. Since then, one of the biggest-ever clean-up operations has given these vast brownfields a complete ecological make-over, with over 100 hectares of new parklands, eight kilometres of waterways and half a million new plants. The overhaul of local infrastructure has turned one of the most poorly served areas in London into one of the best. The broken, dilapidated buildings have made way for an Athletes Village that will eventually house thousands of people. Thats before we get to the Games venues themselves a series of ground-breaking and truly iconic designs. And lets not forget the biggest achievement of all: all of this has been delivered on time and within budget, a shining example of UK construction and innovation. In just one year from now the whole world will be watching the London 2012 Games unfold. Billions of people are going to look at this spectacle and see Britain in a new light as a country that can deliver a huge project, that can host the rest of the world and put on a fantastic show. I want to thank everyone whos played a part in the success story so far and wish you the best of luck for the year ahead. David Cameron Prime Minister July 2011

The challenge

Fixed deadline
Europes largest construction project to be delivered to the ultimate fixed deadline
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Brownfield Scale
A project twice the size of Heathrow Terminal 5 in half of the time

Demolish Connect

The creation of new green parklands with thousands of trees, plants and habitats for wildlife

Clean-up

Demolition of more than 200 buildings, some taken down by hand, so the materials could be recycled and reused

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power pylons criss-crossed the area and required placing in two 6km tunnels underground

Parts of the site in east London had been derelict, polluted and abandoned for decades. Vast clean up of the 2.5sq km site before construction could start

New utilities networks required to provide power, water and sanitation for the site and work to improve transport links

2,818

new homes to be built providing beds for athletes and homes for Londoners
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July 2006
Five years ago, in 2006, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) set out and published a challenging timetable for the delivery of the venues and infrastructure needed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and in legacy.

This is our delivery route map to 2012. I recognise it is a bold move setting out indicative target dates that we can be measured against but it is important that we are transparent and accountable. It is a timetable that is challenging but achievable and one that will require a relentless focus on delivery, timely decision-making and sound project management over the next six years.
Sir David Higgins the then ODA Chief Executive, on publishing the Olympic Park Delivery Programme, 25 July 2006

Published July 2006

Olympic Park Delivery Programme Olympic Park Delivery Programme

20 2006 2006
Olympic Park Venues Infrastructure Olympic Park Venues & Infrastructure ympi a mpic ues e frastructur ructure u Land Acquisition and cquisition q isitio o Land Acquisition Design of O ympic Park / Plan ing Applicatio e gn Olymp ar ympic anning ann nn cation on Design of Olym Park Plannin A plication Olympic a Planning Application Powerlin Po erline Undergrounding Pylon Remova Powerlines Undergrounding & Pylon Removal ines ne ou ounding ylo Removal on moval Powerlines nd rgro din Park Infrastructure (i.e. utilities, roads, bridges etc) frast cture . utilities, roads, r d ra u t liti ties, ads, d Park Infrastructure (i.e. util tie roads bridges e etc) Aquatics C re Aquatics Centre q at Aquatics Centre Olympi Olympic Stadium i diu um Olympic Stadium Velopa k Velopark e park Velopark Other Venues V ues e Other Venues I ernati a o dcast entre Mai Press ent e International Broadcast Centre / Main Press Centre i c e ress International Broadcast Centre Ma n Pres Centre A letes V llage Athletes Village (and Fit-out) lag -out) u Athletes Village (and Fit-out) Transpo Transport nsport Transport T spo Plan Route Network Transport Plan / Route Network p Rout oute etwork twork Transport P Javelin High Speed Rail Link aveli H elin li Sp d a Javelin High Speed Rail Link Heavy Rail He v ai Heavy Rail i Temporary Works & Test Eve ts Temporary Works Test Events mp ar e ven e OYLMPIC / PARALYMPIC GAMES OY MPIC PARALYMPIC OYLMPIC PARALYMPIC GAMES RA M C M Legacy Planning Legacy P a egacy Planning a

2007 2007 07

2 8 2008 2008

2 9 2009 2009

2010 2 0 2010

2011 2 1 2011

2012 2012 2

Legend Legend d L d Acquisition Planning Land Acquisiti n Planni g Land Acquisit on / Planning qui t uisiti nning n T anspor Transpor t Design Transport Design port r i n L Land Preparation Land Preparation reparat o pa a Transpo mp mentation Transpor t Implementation Transport Implementation anspor ns o ntatio Constructio Construction Construction nstruc ion T porar Works Test Ev Temporar y Work Temporary Works & Test Events rary o Events Legac Plan n Legacy Planning Legacy Planning ga annin I frastructure Infrastructure Infrastructure tructu

This is an indicative timetable and works are expected expected This is an indicative timetable and works re expecte nd a iv imetabl ative v b wo s p pe o start end h quar marked. tart a d to start / end the quarter marked. quarter m ked. Tempo Temporary Works includes commissioning, installatio of m o or Works i cludes om ss oni , installation d s s on stallation i Temporary Works includes commission ng, installation of temporary facilities, overl se rity. empo ar y faci itie overlay security. or o r i er t ty temporary facilities, overlay security. L La Land Preparation includes wildl fe relocations site clea ance, reparation includ wildlife relocations, te clearance, ratio ra a cludes ld d c o s, ar n Land Preparation includes wildlife relocations, site clearance, site investigations, existing utilit y diversions, remediation and s investigations, i ti g tilit diversions, remediation and site inves gations existing utility divers o nv vesti a on ons, i lity iversi li ve s em diatio m tion d bulk ear thworks. bulk earthworks. ul arthwo ks hworks w ks.

Section 1

Changing the face of the earth

Before construction could begin, the ODA had to prepare the 2.5sq km site for the big build clearing and cleaning the site, burying the overhead powerlines and providing new water, waste and power networks, which transformed the physical environment in and around the Olympic Park. It was the most extensive and sustainable clean-up operation ever seen in the UK.

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e ng ha C
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In the beginning
For more than 100 years parts of the Olympic Park site was a dumping ground for industrial and domestic waste. Much of the land was polluted with contaminants such as oil, tar, arsenic and lead.

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In the beginning
The waterways in and around the Olympic Park suffered from years of neglect, water quality was poor, river walls were in bad condition and the landscape was scarred by shopping trolleys and car tyres. Potential habitats were suffocated by invasive plant species such as Japanese Knotweed and Floating Pennywort.

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In the beginning
The site of Athletes Village included the disused University of East London towers the two tallest buildings that needed to be demolished.

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In the beginning
Typical of the condition of the area, the site of the new Aquatics Centre was an old car breakers yard.

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Transformed
75 pence of every pound we are spending is an investment in the long-term transformation of the area. As well as brand new world-class sports venues, we are delivering new open space, new energy networks, cleaning miles of waterways and building new roads and bridges, creating new transport links, thousands of new homes and education and healthcare facilities. Transformational change on this scale does not happen often and the Games offer a unique opportunity to regenerate one of the most underdeveloped areas in the UK.
John Armitt ODA Chairman, November 2008

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Transformed
The athletes and the country have a fabulous platform for a great Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and the East End of London has been left with a transformation that only comes around once in a generation.
Seb Coe London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chair, June 2011

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Transformed
London is primed and ready to host the greatest show on earth. The real joy of being so far ahead is that, unlike any other host city, we are already able to focus on securing the legacy we are so determined to deliver from the Games.
Boris Johnson Mayor of London, March 2011

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Transformed
The Olympic Park is fast becoming a showcase for the best of UK plc great design, engineering, construction and project management. There is no doubt that it will be a fitting stage for the worlds greatest athletes next year.
Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, June 2011

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Transformed
We congratulate London 2012 for its success and for its continued progress in delivering to the athletes of the world a stage that is befitting their remarkable talent, determination and commitment to excellence.
Colin Moynihan British Olympic Association Chairman, July 2010

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Transformed
The London Paralympic Games in 2012 provides ParalympicsGB with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Paralympic sport to the UK and to the world. We hope that London will host the most inclusive and accessible Games ever.
Tim Reddish ParalympicsGB, President
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Section 2

The Olympic Park

Work to transform the Olympic Park from a postindustrial site to a world stage for the London 2012 Games began in 2007. The landscape changed dramatically with the removal of the electricity pylons and the under used buildings on the site.

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Cleaned
The ODA undertook one of the UKs largest soil washing operations, as part of a complex and green clean-up process. Five soil-washing machines successfully completed cleaning around 1.4 million cubic metres of soil. More than 80 per cent of the contaminated soil was cleaned for reuse on the Olympic Park.

1.4 million

cubic metres of soil were excavated, cleaned where necessary and used to create a new landscape 619 times the weight of the London Eye

500

tonnes of rubbish from the landfill on the site of the Velodrome sorted each day the same weight as 62.5 double-decker buses

ic metres of soil much Around 1.4 million cub the was excavated across of it contaminated Olympic Park site

Samples of soil were tested for levels of contamination at a laboratory on site

Five on-site soil-washing machines washed and sieved out pollutants, such as petrol, tar, and heavy metals including arsenic and lead

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Billions of micro-organisms helped clean nearly 50,000 tonnes of soil

Some materials were sorted by hand so they could be recycled or reused on the Park, reducing the need to be transported off-site to landll

Once decontaminated, the soil was reused around the Park to alter the landscape and enable the development of a fully accessible Games

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Cleared
More than 200 buildings were demolished on site to make way for the big build. The vast majority of materials were reclaimed to be reused on site or recycled. Flora and fauna were protected, with seed collections taking place and newts, toads and fish all translocated.

with the Celia Hammond The ODA worked closely ue more than 160 cats and Animal Trust to resc k kittens from the Olympic Par

Wildlife was relocated before the big build began, and seeds were collected so that nativ e species could be reintroduced after constructi on

More than 30 buildings were demolished on the site of the Olympic Stadium

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200+ 98%

buildings were demolished across the Olympic Park site, before construction began

of materials generated from the demolition works on the Olympic Park were reused or recycled

Buildings with relatively new steel-framed structur es were taken down by han d, so the materials could be reused elsewhere

To open up a vital area, 2.5km of railway sidings were moved from Thorntons Field in the heart of the Olympic Park to a site north-east of the Park

Materials generated from demolition works such as stones and bricks were reclaimed to be reused or recycled

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Going underground
The day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games the contract was signed to remove the 52 electricity pylons that criss-crossed the Olympic Park. By December 2008 the power had been moved underground to two giant 6km tunnels, on budget and in half the time of the industry average.

65m pylons, each up to Fifty-two electricity d the landscape in an ted high, once domina Park around the Olympic

In 2006, four boring machines were lowered down two shafts midway between Hackney and West Ham substations

Two 6km-long tunnels were dug 30m underneath the Olympic Park, so that the power needed for the area could be switched underground

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200,000 30m

cubic metres of material was excavated from the tunnels and shafts enough to fill Wembley Stadium. The majority was reused around the site

depth of the two tunnels dug underneath the Olympic Park

Nearly 10,000 brackets were installed to x the cabling inside the two tunnels

200km of cabling was installed inside the two tunnels, linking the Hackney and West Ham substations

The pylons were dismantled to open up the landscape and allow the major phase of construction within the Olympic Park to begin

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The Park 2007

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November 2007
The site is a contaminated, industrial landscape, but it is an area of great potential. It is being transformed into a blank canvas, ready for the big build and the creation of one of Europes largest urban parks for 150 years. The Olympic Stadium island, surrounded on three sides by water is clearly visible with the old salmon smoking factory still present. The Thorntons Field rail sidings are situated between the sites for the Stadium and the Aquatics Centre.

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The Park 2008

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November 2008
The big build has started and already foundations have been put in place for the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre as the main structures begin to come out of the ground. The shape of the Olympic Stadium bowl is starting to take shape and the first steel seating frames are in position. In the north of the Park the sites for the Velodrome and the International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre have been cleared. Piling cranes are laying the foundations for the Athletes Village and several buildings are already taking shape at the new Stratford City shopping centre site.

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The Park 2009

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November 2009
The pylons that once dominated the landscape have all been removed from across the Olympic Park. The site continues to be cleaned from contaminants as a new park for the capital is beginning to take shape. The outline of the main venues are now clearly visible the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre and the first blocks of the Athletes Village. Key infrastructure buildings can also be seen including the Energy Centre, Primary Substation and Pumping Station. Many of the 30 new bridges that stitch the Park to its surroundings have been lifted into place.

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The Park 2010

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November 2010
The Olympic Park has now changed dramatically with the main venue structures complete as the skyline of east London is transformed. The Olympic Stadium floodlights have been lifted into place, taking it to its full height. Work has started on the Aquatics Centres temporary wings that will house the extra temporary seats for the Games. External cladding is in place on the Handball Arena and Velodrome. The striking white temporary Basketball Arena sits just north of the Athletes Village, which continues to grow at pace. The large Stratford Town Centre Link bridge has been lifted into place.

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The Park 2011

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July 2011
Construction of the big build is complete with the main venues and infrastructure all finished on time and within budget. The Athletes Village will complete by the end of the year on schedule. As planned there will be a intensive period of work on the temporary venues. The main venues will be made Games ready and the site stitched together. The Orbit has reached its halfway point in terms of height. Much of the planting of the trees and wetland plants is complete with the Park now going from brown to green.

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