Crossrail Project - We're Halfway There

Less than five years after works began on Crossrail, Europe's largest infrastructure project today reached the halfway point of its construction. London's population is set to grow from 8.4 million today to around 10 million by 2030. Government, the Mayor of London and Transport for London are investing in Crossrail and other transport infrastructure to support access to jobs, education, housing and to boost economic growth. Crossrail is part of TfL's investment programme. In addition to Crossrail, the Mayor and TfL are investing to deliver the modernisation of London Underground, major investment in the capital's road network and the Mayor's cycling vision and further improvements to the Bus, London Overground and Tramlink networks. Crossrail will add 10% capacity to London's rail network. It will serve 38 stations, connecting Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west with Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via central London. The economic benefits from Crossrail are spread across the country. It is estimated that Crossrail will generate at least 75,000 business opportunities and support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs around the UK. Three out of five businesses currently winning work on the project are based outside London and over half (58%) are small and medium sized enterprises. In addition to Crossrail, 61,000 jobs are created around the country annually through TfL's investment programme. Seven 1,000 tonne tunnelling machines have bored over 29 kilometres of new 6.2m diameter tunnels under London with an eighth machine due to launch next month. Construction is also advancing on the ten new Crossrail stations and on works above ground west of Paddington and east of Stratford. 10,000 people are currently working on Crossrail, including over 280 apprentices, with the project at peak construction. During 2014, Crossrail's major civil engineering and tunnelling works will conclude and the focus will shift towards station construction, fit-out and implementing railway systems within the tunnels and stations. The train operator will then test and refine the systems before trains run from 2018. For more information visit: http://www.crossrail.co.uk/

Comments

1. Definitely a sign Heathrows Third runway will be built. As for Gatwick, no public infrastructure plans at all to link London except new tracks around Purley and south.
2. exciting but I wish crossrail hand a ''branch'' through southeast London :(
3. The UK is a relatively small country, but they always invest in their infrastructure. They are always building or renovating something- they never remain stagnant. 21 years ago, the UK and France built the Chunnel. 13 years later, they debuted High Speed 1 service. They renovated the historic St. Pancras railroad terminal.
   
   Meanwhile, in America, whenever you want to build anything railroad related, Republicans vehemently oppose it...
4. I tell you if I went to Legoland this would be the railway that I would take
5. typical all the office wallers turn out they never talk to the lads
6. tunnelling doesnt always go this well
   http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/08/massive-tunneling-machine-stuck-under-downtown-seattle-fix-could-cost-taxpayers/
7. +Crossrail Project Awesome "Aventra" trains! :D
8. Crossrail all the way!! WooHoo
9. HS2 will be the next BIG one!
10. After this, what is the next big project?
11. Video: #Crossrail is over 50% complete and is being delivered on time and on budget
12. :D
13. Why isn't crossrail double bore ?