20.06.12
Elizabeth assembly begins for eastern tunnels
The first TBM components have arrived for assembly at Crossrail’s eastern tunnels in Limmo Peninsula.
Over the next four months the components will be transported to the Limmo worksite from Tilbury Docks, where the TBM Elizabeth will be reassembled before construction begins on the tunnels running between Docklands and centralLondon.
The first of two eastern tunnels is part of the largest tunnel section, running 8.3km to Farringdon Station.
Crossrail is also set to build a new dock and conveyor system at Limmo to transport the excavated material toWallaseaIslandin Essex, to create Europe’s largest manmade inter-tidal nature reserve.
The dock will also receive over 120,000 concrete segments that will line the tunnels.
Crossrail’s Eastern Tunnels project manager Peter Main said: “Work is now underway to assemble the tunnel boring machines for Crossrail’s eastern tunnels between Docklands and centralLondon.
“These machines will carve some 1.2 million tonnes of excavated material from underLondonand help build a rail line that will transform rail transport in the capital.
“When Crossrail opens, passengers will be able to travel from Abbey Wood to Farringdon station in just 20 minutes or between Stratfordand Heathrow in less than 45 minutes.”
Four of the eight TBMs have now been manufactured for Crossrail.
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