AtkinsRéalis Secures £124.5M Belfast BRT2 Design Contract

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has officially appointed engineering services firm AtkinsRéalis to deliver the detailed design and construction management for Phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT2) system. The contract will run from 2026 to 2032 to support the phased delivery of the £124.5 million transit scheme. This appointment follows the approval of the project’s Outline Business Case in December 2025.

What Does This Contract Cover?

AtkinsRéalis will provide integrated design, planning, and construction supervision services to expand Belfast’s Glider rapid transit network into the north and south of the city. The scope of work includes stakeholder engagement and coordination, detailed engineering design, statutory approvals, procurement and contract support, and construction supervision. This six-year contract transitions the project from preliminary designs—informed by on-site survey works that began in June 2025—into active construction and final commissioning.

The BRT2 programme is funded as part of the Belfast Region City Deal and aims to build upon the initial phase of the Glider network launched in 2018. The first phase successfully increased public transport ridership along its East-West corridor by 70 per cent, establishing a proven model for reducing reliance on private car travel in the region.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

The scale of Belfast’s transit investment reflects a broader UK-wide emphasis on decarbonizing transport networks, although direct local comparison data for similar rapid transit contracts in 2024 and 2025 remains limited. While Northern Ireland is investing £124.5 million in its bus rapid transit infrastructure to support its regional target of an 87% carbon emission reduction by 2042 (Source: Government of Northern Ireland, 2024), other parts of the UK are launching significantly larger rail maintenance procurements. For example, HS2 is scheduled to launch market engagement for £1.24 billion in maintenance contracts in May 2026 (Source: Construction News, 2026).

On a global level, transit authorities are balancing civil construction with systems integration. In the United States, the California High-Speed Rail Authority approved its first track and systems contract to build out its initial 171 miles under design and construction, focusing on right-sizing initial delivery to control costs (Source: California High-Speed Rail Authority, 2026). The specific financial value of the contract awarded solely to AtkinsRéalis for the Belfast project was not disclosed by the DfI.

Editor’s Analysis

Securing this contract aligns Northern Ireland’s regional transport infrastructure with the UK’s broader 2050 net-zero goals. By shifting commuter habits away from private vehicles, the DfI is targeting the highly productive green economy, which currently generates £105 billion in Gross Value Added across the UK (Source: Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, 2024). Securing an experienced delivery partner like AtkinsRéalis mitigates the execution risks typically associated with multi-year, multi-phase urban transit interventions.

FAQ

Q: What is the main objective of the Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 (BRT2) project?
A: The project aims to expand the Glider rapid transit network into north and south Belfast, improving access to key employment, education, and healthcare sites. It builds on the success of Phase 1, which increased corridor transit usage by 70 per cent.

Q: How much is the Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 programme worth and who is funding it?
A: The overall BRT2 programme is valued at £124.5 million. It is being progressed by the Department for Infrastructure as a key component of the Belfast Region City Deal.

Q: What is the timeline for the AtkinsRéalis contract on BRT2?
A: The contract is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2032. This six-year term covers detailed engineering design, statutory approvals, procurement support, and construction supervision.