Crossrail news, progress reports, interviews and in-depth reports
Latest Crossrail news
Anthrax concern for Crossrail dig
Crossrail will test for “Anthrax spores or bacteria causing plague” from a suspected 488 year-old burial pit close to Farringdon, transport secretary Lord Adonis confirmed yesterday although it would be unlikely to delay the project.
Crossrail awards second round of enabling contracts
Crossrail has awarded the second round of enabling works for the £15.9bn scheme for portals at Royal Oak and Pudding Mill, and demolition works at Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road.
Government reveals £30bn high speed rail plans
Transport secretary Lord Adonis has just announced plans for a new £30bn high speed rail scheme for the UK, which will create an “initial core” network linking London to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds..
NCE exclusives
Tunnel bids for Crossrail
Full tender documents for the lucrative main TBM tunnel packages on the £15.9bn Crossrail scheme are expected to go to bidders in the next few weeks as the project presses forward with main works procurement.
Project scope and spec challenged
Crossrail designers are re-examining the scope and specification of virtually every aspect of the £15.9bn Crossrail project in a bid to ensure that unnecessary or unwanted elements are designed out before construction begins in earnest later this year.
Progress reports
Boris says 2010 is biggest year yet for Crossrail project
London mayor Boris Johnson has said 2010 is poised to be a “huge year” for the £15.9bn Crossrail project with the main construction phase starting in earnest.
Crossrail moves ahead at TCR
The block of Charing Cross Road buildings once containing the famous Astoria Theatre is no more as work steams ahead on the new Tottenham Court Road Crossrail and Tube station.
Farringdon link is go with Crossrail
Network Rail has secured approval from Islington Council for its plans for an interchange between Thameslink and Crossrail services at Farringdon station in central London. Work will begin immediately on a new integrated ticket hall.
Westminster City Council approves Crossrail planning briefs
Westminster City Council has approved six planning briefs for the Crossrail construction sites at Bond Street, Paddington and Tottenham Court Road.
Transport Minister praises Crossrail progress
Transport Minister Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP visited the Crossrail Canary Wharf construction site this week and welcomed its progress.
Crossrail announces small claims administrator
Crossrail has appointed OSG-Miller International as the administrator for its Small Claims Scheme.
Features
Viewpoint: Crossrail procurement gathers pace
The two main tunnelling contracts are about to go out to tender, as the huge project gathers momentum, says NCE transport correspondent Alexandra Wynne
Teutonic Tunneller
Tunnelling guru Martin Herrenknecht speaks out on the importance of Crossrail to Britain’s economy, infrastructure to the world at large and the role tunnel boring machines play. Margo Cole reports.
Crossrail: Major Project Report
Delivering Crossrail: Major project report
NCE presents its major project report on Crossrail - a comprehensive guide to the project featuring interviews with Crossrail chief executive Rob Holden and Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan.
Facts and figures
Crossrail
Crossrail will be a major new railway across London. 10-coach trains will run at frequencies up to 24 trains per hour.
It will be integrated with the Tube and national rail networks, and will link Heathrow Airport, the West End, the City of London and Canary Wharf. Crossrail was officially approved by Gordon Brown in October 2007.
- Original cost: £3bn
- Latest cost: £15.9bn
- Start date: preparatory works in 2009, major construction in 2010
- Opening date: passenger services begin in late 2017
- Main companies involved: Arup, Atkins, Capita Symonds, Mott MacDonald and Scott Wilson
- Tunnelled section of the line: 22km
- Internal tunnel diameter: 6m
- New trains: 65 to be constructed for Crossrail use
- Estimated benefit to UK economy: at least £36bn
Contracts news
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Costain/Skanska win £15M Crossrail enabling works
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Crossrail gives second batch of design contracts to Atkins, Scott Wilson and Mott MacDonald
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Scott Wilson to design Farringdon Crossrail station
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Crossrail awards design contracts to old favourites
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Arup/Atkins and Motts win further major Crossrail design contracts
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Capita wins Crossrail western portal contract
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Crossrail welcomes LSC funding for Tunnelling & Underground Construction Academy
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Crossrail announces second batch of enabling work awards
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OJEU notice for advance civils works at five central London Crossrail stations
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Crossrail competition invites design undergrads to develop concept for station platform seat
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Crossrail lorry drivers trained to put cycle safety first
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Crossrail welcomes London Assembly report "Light at the end of the tunnel"
