Crossrail tunnel fit-out shortlist confirmed

A joint venture between Alstom Transport, TSO and Costain is competing with rival bids from Balfour Beatty Rail as well as three other consortium bids - the Bam Nuttal, Ferrovial Agroman and Kier Construction joint venture; the Laing O'Rourke and Volker Rail joint venture; and the Rhomberg Bahntechnik, Alpine Bau, FCC Construccion joint venture.

Construction of Crossrail's tunnels starts in April when the first tunnel boring machine will be launched. By late 2014, the construction of over 21km of twin-bore tunnel, stretching across the capital via central London and Docklands, is scheduled for completion.

The tunnel fit-out contract will be awarded in early 2013, and is scheduled to start in 2014, with trains planned to start operating from 2018. The fit-out contract 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 over 50 ventilation fans, 40km of walkways, 60 drainage pumps, 30km of fire mains as well as lighting throughout the entire length.

The total Crossrail route will pass through 37 stations and run 118km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through the 21km of twin-bore tunnels to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city.