25.07.12
Crossrail’s Docklands tunnel shafts near completion
The Docklands tunnel shafts are near completion for Crossrail, with construction of the eastern tunnels to begin this winter.
Workers have reached the bottom of two huge launch shafts, where the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will be lowered ahead of tunnelling. Assembly of the third TBM, Elizabeth, is well underway.
Over 250 people are now employed at the Limmo Peninsular site, with the number expected to peak at around 500 at the height of construction.
Excavated material is being transported out of the site via ship rather than lorry to save on emissions. A new jetty is being constructed this week atInstoneWharfto enable this. Around 1.2 million tonnes of excavated material will be transported by boat.
Crossrail’s Eastern Tunnels project manager Peter Main said: “We are now gearing up for the start of Crossrail tunnelling in eastLondon. Work to construct two large launch shafts is now complete with assembly of the first of our tunnel boring machines now well underway.
“We understand how critical it is to limit the impact of Crossrail's construction on local communities and have planned to transport the excavated material from the eastern tunnels by boat fromInstoneWharf, removing the need for more than 30,000 lorry journeys in eastLondon. We will also deliver 120,000 concrete tunnel segments by boat from Chatham Dockyard to further reduce our local impact.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]
Image c. Crossrail Ltd