Network Rail’s invitation to tender covers the majority of Crossrail works planned on the northeast surface section of the Crossrail route.
The contract will be awarded at the back end of 2013.
The work includes the design and build of major station improvements at Romford and Ilford as well as improvements at stations including Forest Gate, Goodmayes, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Chadwell Heath and Brentwood.
Platform extensions will allow longer, higher capacity trains to run, and new lifts to enable step-free access will be installed at many stations along the route.
The detailed design phase will start in early 2014 and main works will take place between late 2014 and 2017.
Other works will include various infrastructure improvements, such as extra train stabling capacity and turnback facilities that will improve the reliability of passenger services.
Network Rail senior programme manager Peter Mason said: “Network Rail is undertaking a major upgrade of the existing rail network that will benefit passengers and freight customers, including a significant programme of track renewals as well as station improvements under the Crossrail programme. Crossrail will transform public transport, making it quicker and easier for people to get to destinations across London and the southeast.”
Crossrail surface director Matt White added: “Network Rail will be carrying out significant improvement work, paving the way for new longer trains, frequent services and better stations. Residents along the line from Stratford to Shenfield will benefit from an improved train service due to Crossrail.”
Under the Crossrail programme, Network Rail is responsible for the upgrade of 43 miles of track in total, as well as improving 27 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.
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