Viewpoint: Crossrail procurement gathers pace

The past two months have seen the eagerly awaited Crossrail construction procurement process pick up speed.

First came the announcement in September that Crossrail was inviting expressions of interest for the project’s two major tunnelling contracts in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). These will involve 6.2m diameter tunnels threading intricately under central London along a total length of 18km.

Package C300 for Tunnels West includes a portal west of Paddington station and covers the 6.2km from Royal Oak in west London to the new Crossrail Farringdon station on the edge of the City.

“The timing of the award of these contracts is critical to ensure there is enough time to order and deliver tunnel boring machines (TBMs) ready for the launch of the first by late 2011.”

Package C300 for Tunnels East comprises the construction of three sets of tunnels: a 8.3km drive from a launch chamber at Limmo Peninsula in east London through to the new Crossrail Farringdon station; a 2.7km drive running east from a launch chamber at Stepney Green, to the Pudding Mill Lane portal; and 900m stretch from a launch chamber at Limmo Peninsula east to the Victoria Dock portal.

The timing of the award of these contracts is critical to ensure there is enough time to order and deliver tunnel boring machines (TBMs) ready for the launch of the first by late 2011.

C300 will require two earth pressure balance shield TBMs while C305 calls for four. As a result Crossrail has said it expects to release invitations to tender for these contracts this month, with their award due by mid-2010.

However, a third − and likely final − tunnelling contract hit a setback last month because of late running negotiations with project sponsor and developer Berkeley Homes.

This section covers the tunnels under the River Thames from the Royal Docks to south east London via the Woolwich Station box − expected to be funded by Berkeley Homes.

“Hot on the heels of this announcement, Crossrail advertised an 18 month contract covering a package of integration works at Paddington station.”

Crossrail tunnelling boss Bill Tucker told a recent conference in London that plans to publish the OJEU notice for the complex river tunnel at the same time as those for the first station build contracts have been ditched.

Meanwhile, the organisation went ahead as planned with inviting bids for station tunnels at Tottenham Court Road (contract 420) and Bond Street (contract 410) involving sprayed concrete lining and access shaft construction.

The contracts will last 48 and 43 months respectively and bids were invited for one or both contracts. Both contracts are on the project’s critical path as the station platform tunnels must be completed in time to allow the throughpassage of the running tunnel TBMs.

Hot on the heels of this announcement, Crossrail advertised an 18 month contract covering a package of integration works at Paddington station. Work under C272 includes construction of a shell and core for a relocated Hammersmith and City Line Underground station as well as resurfacing works and construction of a roof.

• Alexandra Wynne is NCE’s transport correspondent

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