Crossrail awards major tunnel fit-out contract

Crossrail today announced that it intends to award the contract to undertake the major fit-out of the new rail tunnels to a joint venture comprising Costain Ltd, TSO and Alstom Transport.

The award of the tunnel fit-out contract is the last major construction contract to be awarded by Crossrail.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive 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.”

The contract also includes commitments to provide apprenticeships and job opportunities for Londoners. The contractor will be required to create around 50 new apprenticeships and new job start roles for individuals who are long-term unemployed or out of education or training for six months or more during the life of their contract. It is a requirement that all of the new job starts be taken up by individuals living within Greater London or within one mile of the Crossrail route.

Construction of Crossrail’s tunnels got underway in May 2012 when the first tunnel boring machine was launched from Royal Oak. By late 2014, the construction of over 21km of twin-bore tunnel, stretching across the capital via central London and Docklands, will have been completed. To-date over 7km of new tunnel has been constructed under London.

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.

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.