The award of the tunnel fit-out contract is the last major construction contract to be awarded by Crossrail. It has gone to a consortium of Costain and the French firms Travaux Sud Ouest (TSO) and Alstom Transport.
To dampen any controversy about British taxpayers cash sailing across the English Channel, Crossrail has stipulated that the contracting team will be required to create around 50 new apprenticeships and all new job-starts must be taken up by individuals living within Greater London or within one mile of the Crossrail route.
The fit-out works will be carried out within the entire tunnelled section of the Crossrail route between Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane and Plumstead Portals.
Crossrail tunnelling began in May 2012. So far, 7km out of the total 21km of twin-bore tunnel has been constructed. Tunnelling is set to complete at the end of 2014.
As construction concludes, work will get underway to fit-out the tunnels with the necessary track, overhead power equipment and services to enable Crossrail trains to operate from 2018. This will include the installation of over 40km of track, overhead electric conductor rails to power the trains as well as ventilation and drainage systems.
The new Crossrail tunnels will also require 48 ventilation fans, 40km of walkways, 66 drainage pumps, 40km of fire mains as well as lighting throughout the entire length.
Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said: “Construction of the new rail tunnels under London continues to advance. As tunnelling concludes work will get underway to turn the tunnels into an operational railway with new track installed as well as power, drainage and ventilation systems. Tunnel fit-out is one of the largest contracts to be let by Crossrail and will create hundreds of new job opportunities as well as providing a welcome boost to regionally-based manufacturers and suppliers.”
Costain TSO Alstom won the contract ahead of Balfour Beatty Rail and a joint venture of BAM Nuttall/Ferrovial Agroman/Kier.
Laing O’Rourke/Volker Rail Joint Venture withdrew from the process in May 2012 and a JV of Rhomberg Bahntechnik/Alpine/FCC pulled out in June 2012.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
