The notice for Package C310 - Thames Tunnel was published in the OJEU and comprises the construction of twin 6m diameter bored tunnels from Plumstead Portal to North Woolwich Portal. The length of each drive is approximately 2.6 km.

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Review designs during the pre-construction period to improve buildability and to mitigate risk;

• Construction of the tunnels extending beneath the Thames, sumps for tunnel drainage, cross passages, a shaft at Plumstead, portal structures and launch chambers at Plumstead and North Woolwich including head house structures, ramps, diaphragm wall, escape and intervention stairs, flood protection and associated heritage commitments;

• The design (including provision of inputs necessary for CRL to obtain local planning consents) and construction and eventual removal of a segment manufacturing facility local to the Plumstead Portal worksite.

Rob Holden, Crossrail's CEO said: "This is an important day for the programme. The invitation to express interest in the Thames Tunnel contract means that we are progressing with the procurement of all three running tunnels contracts. It is another significant step towards delivering Crossrail on time and to budget."

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 24 March 2010.

Ends

Media inquiries:

Ankeeta Munsi
Crossrail Press Office, 020 3229 9552, ankeetamunsi@crossrail.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Tunnelling

A total of 21 km of twin-bore tunnel is required to be constructed for Crossrail.

The five tunnel drives are:

• Royal Oak to Farringdon (Drive X) - length of drive approximately 6.2 km
• Limmo to Farringdon (Drive Y) - length of drive approximately 8.3 km
• Stepney Green to Pudding Mill Lane (Drive Z) - length of drive approximately 2.7 km
• Limmo to Victoria Dock Portal (Drive G) - length of drive approximately 0.9 km
• Plumstead to North Woolwich (Drive H) - length of drive approximately 2.6 km

Crossrail Progress

The Crossrail Act received Royal Assent on 22 July 2008, granting the powers to build the railway, and Crossrail construction began on 15 May 2009 with work commencing at the new Crossrail Canary Wharf station. The main construction programme begins along the route this year.

In the past year Crossrail moved rapidly ahead with progress which included:

• Crossrail Central, a consortium of Bechtel, Halcrow and Systra appointed Crossrail Project Delivery Partner and Transcend, a consortium of AECOM, CH2M Hill and Nichols Group appointed Crossrail Programme Partner;
• Work at underway on three stations - Canary Wharf, Farringdon and Tottenham Court Road.
• Terry Morgan appointed Chairman with Rob Holden appointed as Chief Executive and new top level management team in place;
• Station design contracts awarded for all central area stations and portals;
• Formal procurement of all three running tunnel contracts underway;
• Crossrail confirms that some 4 million m³ of excavated materials will be transported to Wallasea Island in Essex for creation of a new nature reserve.
  Crossrail and Port of London Authority sign memorandum of understanding for removal of excavated materials by river;
• Islington Council approves Crossrail/Thameslink station at Farringdon;
• OJEU issued for Paddington Integrated Programme;
• OJEUs issued inviting bids for Crossrail tunnelling packages for Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road Tender submissions;
• Crossrail Visitor Information Centre opened at Tottenham Court Road;
• Site at Aldersbrook in Newham acquired for Tunnelling Academy and OJEU for construction issued;
• European Investment Bank confirms £1 billion loan to TfL for Crossrail;
  TfL award Tottenham Court Road LU station redevelopment to Taylor Woodrow Construction and BAM Nuttall Limited;
• Government confirms that the route from Maidenhead to Reading and from Abbey Wood to Hoo Junction in Kent have been safeguarded to allow a potential future extension of Crossrail;
• Crossrail awards all 25 design framework contracts;
• Crossrail Central appoints Chief Architect;
• Crossrail awards first contracts under the Crossrail Enabling Works Framework;
• Preparatory works underway at Royal Oak tunnel portal site;
• Beginning of dewatering of Canary Wharf Crossrail Station worksite.

About Crossrail

Crossrail will run 118 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 60 minutes commuting distance of London's key business districts. When Crossrail opens in 2017 it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10 per cent, supporting regeneration across the capital, helping to secure London's position as a world leading financial centre, and cutting journey times across the city.

Crossrail will deliver substantial economic benefits for all of London and the South East after the new railway opens in 2017. A study published in February 2009 assessed the key benefits including faster journey times, reduced and public transport congestions, improved productivity and higher earnings. When the results are modelled for just one year - 2026 - the annual economic benefit across all of London's boroughs is estimated at £1.24 billion at 2008 prices.

Up to 14,000 people will be employed at the peak of construction in 2013/2015, with an estimated further 7000 jobs created indirectly. Crossrail is Europe's largest construction project.

Preparatory works took place throughout 2009. The main construction programming starts in 2010 with tunnelling starting in 2011. Crossrail is scheduled to open for service in 2017.

Once complete in 2017, new 10-carriage trains carrying at least 1,500 passengers will travel through the 21 km long tunnels, significantly reducing journey times between Heathrow, the West End, the City and Canary Wharf and providing new journey opportunities and much needed additional transport capacity.

Crossrail is promoted by Crossrail Limited (CRL). CRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London. Crossrail is jointly sponsored by Department for Transport and Transport for London.