Crossrail today announced that a contract notice has been placed in the Official Journal of the European Union seeking expressions of interest for the major fit-out of the new rail tunnels. The indicative value of the contract is in the region of US$628M.
Construction of Crossrail’s tunnels will get underway in spring 2012 when the first TBM is 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.
As construction concludes, an equally herculean task will get to underway to fit-out the tunnels with tracks and other equipment 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.
This major contract will contribute towards the creation of further employment opportunities on Crossrail. Up to 14,000 people will be employed on the Crossrail project at the height of construction between 2013 and 2015.
Andy Mitchell, Crossrail Programme Director said: “As the new Crossrail tunnels are completed, work will get underway to fit the tunnels out with the necessary track and overhead power equipment to enable the railway to operate. Such is the scale and complexity of the task it will take several years to complete the fit-out works with people working around the clock to complete the job.”
The new Crossrail tunnels will also require over 50 ventilation fans, 40km of walkways, 60 drainage pumps, 30km 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. It is envisaged that the selected contractor will start fit-out simultaneously from both Royal Oak and Plumstead portals.
Contract will be awarded in late 2012, providing the chosen contractor with sufficient time to undertake detailed design and planning before fit-out work commences in 2014.
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