The 224 meter building will become one of the most recognizable in the square mile, occupying a prominent site directly opposite the distinctive Lloyd’s of London headquarters.

The structure’s distinct asymmetrical shape – a response to planning requirements to maintain views of Cathedral – meant settlement both in the foundations and through compression of its elements would be irregular.

The development’s tapering shape, which when viewed from the west will appear to ‘lean away’ from St Paul’s Cathedral, delivers varied sizes of floor plates, all offering spectacular views over London. Practical completion of the shell and core is scheduled for mid-2014. The geometry of the 52-storey skyscraper makes it theoretically unstable.

Exceptional engineering skills were necessary therefore, to develop a construction methodology that enabled the building to stay upright – with tolerances of plus or minus 20mm required on all but five of its floors.

The scope of works included providing track work for the conveyor system, three conveyors, a crushing station, a skyline tripper, a stockpile pad, a reclaim tunnel and a rail load-out bin.

Laing O’Rourke self-performed the design and construction of all components, which involved bulk earthworks, rail system construction and integration, signalling and communication, culverts and drainage, remediation works and the installation of coal-handling plant.

The project drew on multidisciplinary strengths across Laing O’Rourke’s rail and infrastructure business units.

At its peak, the project employed more than 300 people from Laing O’Rourke, Centennial Coal and partner companies across the design, construction, operations and maintenance phases.

The scope of works included providing track work for the conveyor system, three conveyors, a crushing station, a skyline tripper, a stockpile pad, a reclaim tunnel and a rail load-out bin.

Laing O’Rourke self-performed the design and construction of all components, which involved bulk earthworks, rail system construction and integration, signalling and communication, culverts and drainage, remediation works and the installation of coal-handling plant.

The project drew on multidisciplinary strengths across Laing O’Rourke’s rail and infrastructure business units.

At its peak, the project employed more than 300 people from Laing O’Rourke, Centennial Coal and partner companies across the design, construction, operations and maintenance phases.

The scope of works included providing track work for the conveyor system, three conveyors, a crushing station, a skyline tripper, a stockpile pad, a reclaim tunnel and a rail load-out bin.

Laing O’Rourke self-performed the design and construction of all components, which involved bulk earthworks, rail system construction and integration, signalling and communication, culverts and drainage, remediation works and the installation of coal-handling plant.

The project drew on multidisciplinary strengths across Laing O’Rourke’s rail and infrastructure business units.

At its peak, the project employed more than 300 people from Laing O’Rourke, Centennial Coal and partner companies across the design, construction, operations and maintenance phases.

The scope of works included providing track work for the conveyor system, three conveyors, a crushing station, a skyline tripper, a stockpile pad, a reclaim tunnel and a rail load-out bin.

Laing O’Rourke self-performed the design and construction of all components, which involved bulk earthworks, rail system construction and integration, signalling and communication, culverts and drainage, remediation works and the installation of coal-handling plant.

The project drew on multidisciplinary strengths across Laing O’Rourke’s rail and infrastructure business units.

At its peak, the project employed more than 300 people from Laing O’Rourke, Centennial Coal and partner companies across the design, construction, operations and maintenance phases.