From Paper to Platform: How SPL Powerlines Used Digital Twins to Accelerate 447km Rail Project

• 27 November 2025
• Construction Focus
• 864 Views

A sprawling infrastructure project to electrify the UK’s Midland Main Line is setting a new industry standard, thanks to a pioneering digital approach built on Bentley Systems’ software suite.

SPL Powerlines UK, a leading overhead line electrification designer and installer, has leveraged advanced digital workflows to manage the design and development of 447 kilometers of overhead electrified line, a multidiscipline program scheduled for completion by 2032.

(MMLE) project required the seamless integration of design between existing and proposed infrastructure across more than 20 design organizations.

To tackle this challenge, SPL Powerlines relied heavily on Bentley applications to improve processes, enhance collaboration, and deliver the project more efficiently while improving safety and reducing costs.

First, ProjectWise was used to gather and manage project data in a Common Data Environment (CDE). The CDE is a single, all-in-one platform where all team members can efficiently manage and exchange information, from design to legal documents and ground works. This approach improved project data quality by 50% in just four weeks.

Next, the firm also used iTwin Capture to perform risk management and reduce environmental impacts. By using high-quality drone-captured imagery for surveying and implementing digital walkouts, the firm was able to reduce risks with fewer site visits. This not only streamlined the project timeline and optimized resource allocation but also minimized the project’s environmental impact.

The use of Bentley’s integrated software platform has allowed SPL Powerlines to manage the complexity of this large-scale electrification project, delivering measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

To learn more about how Bentley supports rail projects, you can watch this video: Bentley Rail & Transit Solution Part 1: New Route Scenario Introduction.

• Bentley Systems
• iTwin Capture